Ellen DeGeneres Cites Trump Re-election as Reason for U.K. Move

Ellen DeGeneres Relocates to U.K. Following Donald Trump's Re-election

Ellen DeGeneres has officially confirmed that her permanent move to the United Kingdom was prompted by Donald Trump's re-election in November 2024. The former talk show host made the announcement during a live conversation with broadcaster Richard Bacon at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre on July 20, 2025. This marks her first public appearance since the move where she explicitly stated her reasons for leaving the United States.

DeGeneres's Decision: A Response to Political Climate

DeGeneres, along with her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, initially planned a part-time stay in the Cotswolds region of England, intending to spend three to four months a year there. However, their plans shifted dramatically following the U.S. election. According to DeGeneres, they arrived in the U.K. just before the election. Upon learning of Trump's re-election, they decided to make their stay permanent.

Concerns Over LGBTQ+ Rights

DeGeneres has also expressed concern over efforts to challenge same-sex marriage in the United States. In June 2025, she voiced her worries about the recent push by Southern Baptist leaders to overturn the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. She noted that over 10,000 church representatives voted to push for its reversal, and lawmakers in nine states have introduced legislation to undermine Obergefell v. Hodges. DeGeneres stated that if same-sex marriage is reversed in the U.S., she and de Rossi would get married in the U.K.

Support for Rosie O'Donnell

On July 13, 2025, DeGeneres publicly supported fellow comedian Rosie O'Donnell on Instagram after Donald Trump threatened to revoke O'Donnell's U.S. citizenship. O'Donnell, who moved to Ireland earlier this year, has also been vocal about leaving the U.S. due to the Trump administration.

Life in the Cotswolds

DeGeneres described the Cotswolds as "absolutely beautiful" with "charming" villages and a "simpler way of life." She has also praised the U.K. for its cleanliness, politeness, and treatment of animals. She sold her California estate for $96 million in August before purchasing a farmhouse in the Cotswolds in November 2024.

DeGeneres's Own Words

DeGeneres shared her immediate reaction to the election results, stating, "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 also commented on the overall environment in the U.K., saying, "It's clean. Everything here is just better — the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here." Regarding LGBTQ+ rights, she added, "The Baptist Church in America is trying to reverse gay marriage. If they do that, we're going to get married here."

Public Reaction and Comparisons

The news of DeGeneres's move has garnered significant attention, particularly online. Reactions on social media platforms like Reddit have been mixed. Some users have expressed understanding and support for her decision, citing concerns over the political climate and LGBTQ+ rights. Others have been critical, suggesting her move may be related to past controversies surrounding her talk show and public persona. Comparisons have also been drawn to Rosie O'Donnell, who also moved abroad citing similar reasons related to Trump's presidency. O'Donnell expressed surprise at DeGeneres' public political stance, noting that DeGeneres has not typically been outspoken politically.