I’m Done With America: Ellen DeGeneres Slams Trump in Explosive Reveal. Comedian Confirms Move to Cotswolds Over Fears of Trump’s Policies, Plans UK Wedding
Ellen DeGeneres, the iconic comedian and former talk show host, has confirmed that Donald Trump’s 2025 election victory prompted her permanent move to the UK, where she now resides with wife Portia de Rossi in the Cotswolds. Speaking at her first public event since leaving the US—a conversation at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre on July 20, 2025—DeGeneres revealed her decision to stay in the UK after waking to news of Trump’s win.
Citing a better quality of life and concerns over US policies, particularly threats to LGBTQ+ rights, she hinted at remarrying de Rossi in the UK. The 67-year-old also addressed the “mean” scandal that ended her talk show, offering a candid reflection on her new chapter. Here’s the full story of her relocation, her fears, and her fresh start.
A Transatlantic Escape Post-Election
DeGeneres and de Rossi arrived in the UK the day before the US presidential election on November 5, 2024, settling into their new Cotswolds home, a picturesque region known for its rolling hills and quaint villages. Speaking to broadcaster Richard Bacon at the Cheltenham event, DeGeneres confirmed Trump’s re-election was the catalyst for staying.
“We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, ‘He got in.’ And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here,’” she said. The couple’s move, initially described as permanent in 2024, was fueled by fears of Trump’s policies, particularly after his inauguration on July 17, 2025.
DeGeneres raved about her new life in the UK, calling it “beautiful” and “clean.” “Everything here is just better—the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here,” she told the audience, contrasting the UK’s atmosphere with the US’s polarized climate.
Her comments echo sentiments from other celebrities, with some on social media speculating that stars like Barbra Streisand and Cher might follow suit, though no confirmed reports support this. The Cotswolds, a haven for high-profile figures, offers DeGeneres privacy and a fresh start after a tumultuous few years.
Fears for LGBTQ+ Rights
A significant factor in DeGeneres’s decision was her concern over eroding LGBTQ+ protections in the US. She specifically referenced a June 2025 Southern Baptist Convention resolution, passed with 92% support, urging a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman, potentially overturning the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
“The Baptist Church in America is trying to reverse gay marriage,” DeGeneres said. “They’re trying to literally stop it from happening in the future and possibly reverse it.” To safeguard their 2008 marriage, she and de Rossi are considering a UK wedding, stating, “Portia and I are already looking into it, and if they do that, we’re going to get married here.”
Her fears align with broader concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates, who point to Trump’s judicial appointments and a conservative Supreme Court as threats to marriage equality. A 2022 Respect for Marriage Act offers some protections, but ambiguities remain, and a 2025 Gallup poll shows 71% of Americans support same-sex marriage, down slightly from 2020.
DeGeneres’s remarks, met with applause at the event, underscored her hope for a world where “everybody could accept other people and their differences,” lamenting that society still has “a hard place” to reach.
Reflecting on the Talk Show Scandal
DeGeneres also used the Cheltenham stage to address the 2020 scandal that tarnished the end of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which ran for 19 seasons until 2022. Former employees accused her of fostering a toxic work environment, alleging bullying and favoritism, prompting a public apology and an internal investigation that led to three executives’ departures.
The controversy, amplified by media headlines branding her “mean,” contributed to declining ratings and the show’s cancellation. “No matter what, any article that came up, it was like, ‘She’s mean,’” DeGeneres said, acknowledging the label’s persistence. “I’m a direct person, and I’m very blunt, and I guess sometimes that means that … I’m mean?”
She expressed frustration at being “misconstrued” but avoided a victim narrative, saying, “How do I deal with this without sounding like ‘poor me’ or complaining?” Reflecting on her 2024 comedy tour, where she joked about being “kicked out of show business,” she called the show’s end “certainly an unpleasant way” to conclude her 20-year TV legacy. Fans at the event appreciated her candor, with social media posts praising her resilience: “Ellen’s owning her story and thriving in the UK.”
A New Chapter in the Cotswolds
DeGeneres and de Rossi’s move followed her final US comedy tour in 2024, which culminated in a Netflix special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval. The couple, married since 2008 after dating since 2004, sold their Montecito home for $96 million in 2024, signaling a permanent shift.
Their Cotswolds property, reportedly a $10 million farmhouse, offers a serene retreat, with DeGeneres embracing local life—joking about learning British slang like “cheeky.” The UK’s progressive stance on animal welfare and its politeness, as DeGeneres noted, align with her values as a vegan and advocate.
The Cheltenham event, part of a literary festival, marked her first public appearance since the move, drawing a sold-out crowd. DeGeneres’s humor and openness won over attendees, with one X post calling her “refreshingly real.” Her decision to relocate has sparked debate online, with supporters saying, “Good for Ellen escaping Trump’s America,” while critics argue, “She’s running from accountability.”
Regardless, her move underscores a broader trend of Americans seeking refuge abroad amid political uncertainty, with UK visa inquiries reportedly up 15% since November 2024.
What’s Next for Ellen?
As DeGeneres settles into UK life, she’s exploring new projects, including potential comedy specials and advocacy work. Her comments about remarrying in the UK suggest a proactive stance against potential US policy shifts, while her reflections on the talk show scandal indicate a desire to move forward.
With the Cotswolds as her base, she’s poised for a quieter yet impactful chapter, free from the US spotlight. As one fan posted, “Ellen in the UK is the fresh start we didn’t know we needed.”
