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Beloved comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, 67, has unequivocally stated that Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election was the direct cause of her and wife, actress Portia de Rossi, 52, permanently relocating to the United Kingdom. The couple, who moved from California to the scenic Cotswolds in November last year, initially planned for a part-time residence but cemented their decision after the election results, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.
Speaking to Richard Bacon in Cheltenham on Sunday, DeGeneres confirmed reports, simply saying "yes" when asked if Trump's re-election was the reason. "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’," DeGeneres recounted, as reported by the BBC. Her immediate reaction was decisive: "And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here’."
A Growing Trend: Celebrities Seeking New Horizons
DeGeneres's move highlights a noticeable trend among some prominent American figures seeking new homes abroad following Trump's return to office. Veteran rock musician Courtney Love, already a long-time UK resident, recently applied for British citizenship, directly attributing her decision to the US political climate. Similarly, actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell has settled in Ireland, vowing to return to America only "when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there." O'Donnell's outspoken criticism has drawn threats from Trump, who suggested stripping her of US citizenship.
Beyond these well-known names, other Americans are also quietly making the leap across the Atlantic. While not always directly politically motivated, factors like political polarization, gun violence, and healthcare concerns in the US contribute to a desire for a different lifestyle in the UK and Europe. Actress America Ferrera and singer Cher were among those who publicly stated they would consider leaving the US if Trump were re-elected, reflecting a broader sentiment of disillusionment.
"Life is Just Better": The UK's Appeal
For DeGeneres, the UK offers more than just political refuge. She enthusiastically declared that life "is just better" across the pond. "It’s absolutely beautiful," DeGeneres enthused, praising the charming villages, architecture, and a "simpler way of life." She highlighted the country's cleanliness, the respectful treatment of animals, and the politeness of its people. "Everything here is just better," she affirmed. Despite a November move, the couple has embraced their new life, with de Rossi's horses having been flown over, and DeGeneres now tending to chickens and having even briefly kept sheep.
Protecting Rights: A Renewed Fight for Equality
A significant concern for DeGeneres, who came out as gay in 1997, is the current threat to LGBTQ+ rights in the US. She specifically pointed to the recent endorsement by the Southern Baptist Convention of a reversal of the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
"The Baptist Church in America is trying to reverse gay marriage," she warned, adding, "They’re trying to literally stop it from happening in the future and possibly reverse it." In response to this potential rollback, DeGeneres and de Rossi are actively considering remarrying in the UK, where their union would be secure. "Portia and I are already looking into it, and if they do that, we’re going to get married here," she declared.
DeGeneres expressed a deep wish for a society where people can be authentic without fear. "I wish we were at a place where it was not scary for people to be who they are. I wish that we lived in a society where everybody could accept other people and their differences," she concluded, underscoring that despite some progress, the journey towards full acceptance and safety remains ongoing. Recent executive actions and proposals in the US under the new administration, such as those within "Project 2025," have further intensified concerns among the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to redefine sex, restrict gender-affirming care, and roll bac
k protections.
