On July 15, 2025, Ellen DeGeneres confirmed she has relocated permanently to the United Kingdom, citing her opposition to President Donald Trump’s second term as a key reason. The former talk show host, who ended The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022 amid workplace toxicity allegations, announced her decision in a candid interview with The Times of London. “I’m done with America under Trump,” she said, describing his policies as “divisive.” DeGeneres, 67, has settled in the Cotswolds with her wife, Portia de Rossi, and has no plans to return to the U.S.
The move follows a pattern of high-profile celebrities, including Rosie O’Donnell, leaving the U.S. since Trump’s January 2025 inauguration. DeGeneres criticized Trump’s immigration crackdowns, which have deported over 158,000 undocumented immigrants, and his rollback of diversity initiatives, like Utah’s ban on LGBTQ+ pride flags in schools. Her departure has sparked polarized reactions. Supporters of Trump, including conservative commentators, celebrated it as a “win” for his agenda, framing it as purging liberal influence. Critics, however, argue it reflects a chilling effect on free expression, with 12% of Americans considering emigration due to political climate, per a 2025 Pew poll.
DeGeneres, who remains eligible for U.S. voting, plans to continue producing content from the UK, focusing on environmental and mental health advocacy. Her decision has drawn comparisons to her 2020 workplace scandal, with some accusing her of fleeing accountability. Others see it as a principled stand against a turbulent political landscape. As Trump pushes policies like banning Chinese farmland ownership, DeGeneres’s exit underscores the growing cultural divide, raising questions about celebrity influence and the personal costs of political dissent in America.
