Comedian and former talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres has confirmed that she left the United States because of Donald Trump’s re-election, telling a British audience that “life is better here.” Speaking to BBC host Richard Bacon at a theater in Cheltenham, England, in her first public appearance in several months, DeGeneres said she and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, decided to stay in the United Kingdom permanently on the morning after the 2024 presidential election.
“We came here thinking it would be a second home – we’d spend three or four months a year,” DeGeneres explained. “Then the election happened, and we woke up to the results. We just looked at each other and said, ‘We’re not going back.’”
The decision marks a dramatic shift for DeGeneres, who for decades was one of the most visible entertainers in America. Her daytime talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” ran for 19 seasons and won dozens of Emmy Awards. But after the show ended in 2022 amid allegations of a toxic workplace, she largely retreated from the public eye. Now, she says, living in England has given her a new sense of freedom and peace.
A Career Built on Authenticity
Ellen DeGeneres first rose to fame in the 1990s with a stand-up comedy career that led to a sitcom, “Ellen.” In 1997, she made history by coming out as gay on the cover of Time magazine and having her character come out on the show. It was a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media, but it also cost her professionally. The sitcom was canceled soon after, and she faced backlash from conservative groups. For years, she struggled to rebuild her career.
She eventually did, returning with a popular stand-up special and then launching her talk show in 2003. The show became a cultural phenomenon, known for its upbeat tone, celebrity interviews, and acts of kindness. DeGeneres also became a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex marriage, and animal welfare. She married Portia de Rossi in 2008, shortly after California briefly legalized same-sex marriage.
Yet her legacy became complicated in her final years on air. Former employees accused producers of fostering a culture of fear, bullying, and racial insensitivity. DeGeneres apologized and promised changes, but ratings never fully recovered, and the show ended in 2022.
The Political Climate That Prompted the Move
Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024 was not just a political event for DeGeneres; it felt personal. During his first term, the Trump administration rolled back numerous protections for LGBTQ+ people, including a ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the military and a reinterpretation of Title IX that limited protections for transgender students. Trump also appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices, who later helped overturn Roe v. Wade and have signaled willingness to revisit other rights, including same-sex marriage.
“Americans can be scary if you want to be who you are,” DeGeneres told the BBC audience. “I want to live in a society where everyone accepts each other and their differences. That feels harder in the US right now.”
Her decision echoes that of other prominent Americans who have left the country since Trump’s re-election. Some are wealth individuals who can afford to relocate; others are professionals in tech, entertainment, and academia seeking more stability abroad. The UK, Canada, and Portugal have been popular destinations.
Marriage and Residency Plans
DeGeneres revealed that she and de Rossi are considering getting married again in the UK, “just to be safe.” The couple legally married in California in 2008, but with fears that the US Supreme Court might overturn Obergefell v. Hodges – the 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide – they want to ensure their union is protected under British law. The UK has recognized same-sex marriage since 2014.
“We have a beautiful home here now,” DeGeneres said. “We’re not just tourists anymore. We’re building a life.” She also joked about the weather, saying she’s still getting used to the rain but that “the people are lovely, and the tea is excellent.”
Broader Implications for LGBTQ+ Rights
DeGeneres’s move is symbolic of a larger anxiety among many in the LGBTQ+ community in the United States. Since the Supreme Court’s conservative majority solidified, a wave of state-level bills has targeted transgender youth, restricting access to healthcare, sports participation, and bathroom use. Some Republican lawmakers have called for a review of legal protections for same-sex couples, though such measures have so far failed to gain traction in Congress.
“Ellen was one of the first major celebrities to come out, and she inspired so many,” said James Mitchell, a professor of media studies at Columbia University, in an interview. “Her decision to leave the US sends a powerful message about the current political climate. It’s not just a personal choice; it’s a political statement.”
Activists worry that if Trump were to enforce a national agenda reminiscent of his first term, it could embolden further restrictions. Groups like the Human Rights Campaign have urged people to stay and fight, but others understand the desire to seek refuge. DeGeneres, who turns 67 next year, seems unapologetic about prioritizing her well-being.
Life in the Cotswolds
DeGeneres and de Rossi have purchased a property in the Cotswolds, a picturesque area in southwestern England known for rolling hills and stone cottages. They have been spotted at local markets and charity events, and neighbors describe them as friendly but private. “They’re just like anyone else – they go for walks, they shop for groceries,” one neighbor told a British tabloid. “Ellen even said hello to my dog.”
The couple had previously owned homes in California, New York, and Hawaii, but they say the UK feels different. “There’s a slower pace here,” DeGeneres said. “People value being outside, talking to each other, not always being on their phones. It’s refreshing.”
She also hinted that she might return to work, but not in television. “I’ve been writing a book, and I’ve been thinking about doing some small live shows. But nothing like the old show. That chapter is closed.”
Reactions and Pushback
News of DeGeneres’s departure has sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans expressed support, saying they understand why she would leave a country where she feels unsafe. Others criticized her as out of touch, noting that most Americans cannot afford to relocate. “Must be nice to have millions to escape,” one commenter wrote on social media. “The rest of us have to stay and deal with the consequences.”
Conservative commentators seized on the story as evidence of liberal “wokeness” and overreaction. “Ellen DeGeneres is a billionaire who made a fortune off America, and now she’s leaving because she doesn’t like the president,” one Fox News host said. “Good riddance.”
DeGeneres, however, seems unfazed. In her Cheltenham appearance, she closed with a message of hope: “No matter where you live, you have the right to be happy. I’m grateful I found that here.”
Historical Context: American Expatriates and Political Exile
The phenomenon of Americans leaving their country due to political discontent is not new. During the Vietnam War, many draft resisters fled to Canada. In the 1950s, artists and writers blacklisted by McCarthyism moved to Europe. More recently, after Trump’s first election in 2016, applications for dual citizenship from countries like Italy and Ireland surged.
But for someone of DeGeneres’s fame and wealth to publicly tie her departure to a specific president is unusual. It underscores how polarized the US has become, and how personal the stakes feel for many in marginalized communities.
DeGeneres’s story also highlights the intersection of celebrity and activism. While she has always been an advocate, she initially tried to keep her talk show non-political. Only in later years did she begin to speak out on issues like immigration and gun control. Now, her personal choice is itself a form of protest.
“I think people underestimate how scared some of us are,” she said in Cheltenham. “It’s not just about who’s in the White House. It’s about what that means for the lives of real people.”
Looking Ahead
As of July 2026, DeGeneres and de Rossi are settled in the UK. They have not sold all their US properties but have no immediate plans to return. DeGeneres said she is working on a memoir, and de Rossi, who retired from acting in 2020, is focusing on her art and charity work.
The couple also plans to get formally married under British law, a move that will provide them with legal certainty regardless of what happens in the US. For DeGeneres, it’s a way of saying: “This is my home now.”
Her appearance ended with a standing ovation from the audience in Cheltenham. Many attendees were fans who had followed her career for decades. “It was emotional to see her in person,” said a woman named Sarah who traveled from London. “She’s been through so much, and she still has that spark. I’m glad she’s happy.”
Whether other high-profile Americans will follow her lead remains to be seen. But for now, Ellen DeGeneres has made her choice – and she says she has no regrets.
Source:leparisien.fr News