Ellen DeGeneres has spoken publicly for the first time since moving to the United Kingdom, revealing that her decision to leave the United States was directly influenced by Donald Trump’s re-election as President.
Appearing in Cheltenham over the weekend, DeGeneres told a live audience that life in Britain was simply “better,” and admitted she and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, are even considering renewing their vows in the UK—amid growing fears in the U.S. over the potential rollback of same-sex marriage rights.
“Yes,” DeGeneres confirmed when asked whether she left the U.S. because of Trump. The talk show icon said she and Portia initially planned to spend only a few months a year in Britain and had bought what they thought would be a part-time home. But things changed quickly.
“We arrived the day before the election,” she said. “We woke up to a flood of messages from friends—just crying emojis everywhere.”
Ellen described her new life in the UK as a refreshing change: “It’s absolutely beautiful. We’re not used to seeing this kind of beauty. The villages, the towns, the architecture—everything here is charming. It’s a simpler way of life. It’s clean. People are polite. The way animals are treated is better. Everything is just better here.”
She added that their move last November, though not ideal timing, came with an unexpected first: “That was the first time I ever saw snow.”
The 67-year-old entertainer made her remarks during a conversation with broadcaster Richard Bacon at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. The event marked her first public appearance in months.
During the discussion, Ellen also reflected on the workplace misconduct allegations that led to the cancellation of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022. She acknowledged she used to be “very open” but dismissed many of the media stories as clickbait. “They painted a narrative,” she said. “But people love a takedown.”
DeGeneres also joked that she had been “kicked out of showbiz twice”—first in 1997 when she publicly came out as gay, and again after the fallout from her show’s controversial ending.
Now settling into a new chapter of life, Ellen says she’s found peace abroad. “America can still be a scary place if you’re someone who just wants to be who you are,” she said. “I want to live somewhere where I don’t have to worry about losing my rights. Where I can just be.”
As the U.S. political climate continues to churn with division and uncertainty, DeGeneres’ quiet departure—and candid words—are a reminder that for some, the cost of staying became too high.
Whether or not she and Portia officially remarry on British soil, one thing is clear: Ellen isn’t looking back.