Ellen DeGeneres Moves Permanently to the UK: Trump’s Election Was the Turning Point
Ellen DeGeneres has openly embraced her new British life. She shares social media clips of sheep wandering near her luxury rural estate while mowing her sprawling lawn. Her hair, now natural and undyed, reflects her fresh start.
On Sunday, Ellen confirmed for the first time why she moved permanently to the UK. The catalyst? The 2024 election of President Donald Trump.
“We arrived the day before the election,” she told a Cheltenham audience at the Everyman Theatre. “We woke up to texts with crying emojis from friends. I thought, ‘He got in.’ Then we said, ‘We’re staying here.’”
From Part-Time Escape to Permanent Home
After her talk show ended amid workplace bullying allegations, Ellen, 67, and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, 52, bought a home in England’s picturesque Cotswolds. Known for its honey-colored stone houses, lush greenery, and charming villages, the 800-square-mile region attracts celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham and Simon Cowell.
Initially, the home was meant as a transatlantic retreat. However, when asked if Trump’s election cemented the move, Ellen gave a clear “Yes.” The theater later confirmed the statement.
“Everything here is just better,” she said, lamenting the state of her homeland. “I wish we lived in a society where everyone could accept people for who they are. Until then, there’s a hard place to say we’ve made huge progress.”
Concerns Over LGBTQ+ Rights and New Beginnings
Ellen also criticized moves by the Southern Baptist Convention to ban same-s*x marriage and overturn its nationwide legalization.
“They’re trying to stop it and possibly reverse it,” she said. “Portia and I are already looking into it. If that happens, we’ll get married here.”
Reflecting on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ and Her Personality
She addressed the end of her long-running talk show, which lasted 19 seasons and won over 60 Emmys but closed after staff raised concerns about a toxic workplace.
“I’m a direct person, very blunt,” Ellen said. “Sometimes that means I’m mean.”
Mark Goucher, CEO of the Everyman Theatre, called meeting her a “huge privilege” and welcomed her as a neighbor.
Americans’ Growing Desire to Leave
Ellen isn’t alone in leaving America’s divided social and political scene. After the 2024 election, Google searches about moving abroad surged. A poll showed 17% of Americans want to leave within five years, citing toxicity and dissatisfaction with the country’s direction. Canada was the top choice.
President Trump responded bluntly in 2019, “If you’re not happy, you can leave.”
Is the UK the Ideal Escape?
While Ellen enjoys the idyllic countryside, some data suggest the UK’s quality of life isn’t dramatically better. The OECD’s Better Life Index ranks the US 10th and the UK 14th among 40 countries, considering factors like housing, income, life satisfaction, community, and work-life balance.
Despite its praised universal healthcare and lower g*n vi0.lence, the UK faces its own challenges.
Ellen DeGeneres’ move reflects broader tensions within the US and highlights how political shifts influence personal lives. For now, she’s found peace in the English countryside — a fresh chapter far from home.
