Cheltenham, UK – July 20, 2025 – Ellen DeGeneres, the former US talk show host, has ignited a firestorm of debate following remarks made about President Donald Trump during her first public appearance since relocating to the United Kingdom. Speaking at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, DeGeneres confirmed that Trump’s re-election in November 2024 was the primary reason for her and her wife, Portia de Rossi, permanently moving to the Cotswolds. The comedian’s statements have drawn sharp reactions from supporters and critics alike, with some accusing her of going “too far” in her criticism of the president.
DeGeneres, 67, told broadcaster Richard Bacon that she and de Rossi arrived in the UK the day before the US election and decided to stay after waking to news of Trump’s victory. “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,’” she said. “And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here.’” She described life in the UK as “just better,” citing the country’s charm and simpler way of life. DeGeneres also expressed concerns about moves in the US to reverse same-sex marriage rights, referencing efforts by the Southern Baptist Convention and several state legislatures. “Portia and I are already looking into it, and if they do that, we’re going to get married here,” she added, emphasizing her fears about America being “scary for people to be who they are.”
The remarks have fueled polarized responses. Supporters praised DeGeneres for her candor, with some on social media calling her decision to leave the US a bold stand against political shifts they view as regressive. Others, however, criticized her for what they see as an overstep. A post on X called her comments a “Trump tantrum,” with one user writing, “Ellen DeGeneres blames Trump for her US exodus. Nobody cares, get over yourself.” Another suggested her departure was motivated by other factors, with one conservative commenter snidely remarking, “Tell me you’re on the Diddy list without saying you’re on the Diddy list.”This is not DeGeneres’ first brush with controversy regarding Trump. In 2017, she made headlines by stating she would not invite then-President Trump to her talk show, saying, “He’s against everything that I stand for.” More recently, she showed support for Rosie O’Donnell after Trump threatened to revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship, reposting their exchange on Instagram with the caption, “Good for you, @rosie.”
Critics argue that DeGeneres, who has historically avoided overt political commentary, has now crossed a line by framing her relocation as a direct response to Trump’s presidency.DeGeneres also addressed the 2020 toxic workplace allegations that led to the end of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022. She admitted to being “very blunt” but dismissed many claims as “clickbait,” expressing frustration that her reputation as a kind and empathetic person has been overshadowed.As DeGeneres settles into her new life in the UK, her remarks continue to stir debate, with some viewing her as a courageous voice for marginalized communities and others accusing her of leveraging Trump’s name for attention. Whether this marks a new chapter of activism for the former TV icon or a misstep in her public image remains to be seen.
