In the wake of changing political climates, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi made headlines when they decided to leave Trump’s America for the serene countryside of Britain. But as winter approaches, will the British weather drive them back across the Atlantic? The couple’s journey reflects broader trends among American celebrities contemplating life outside the United States during tumultuous political times.
Table of Contents
Settling into British Life
“I’m not some sort of secret Reform voter, OK?” I might add, as a Brit living abroad, that while I have no qualms about affluent immigrants calling the UK home, I believe they should genuinely integrate rather than just bringing their “funny foreign ideas” with them. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are prime examples. After touching down in the UK just before Donald Trump won the election, they voiced their intention to remain on the more rational side of the Atlantic. The specifics of immigration logistics aside, it appears that the conventional rules about entry don’t apply to those jetting in on private planes. They recently purchased a splendid home in the Cotswolds, where DeGeneres charmed locals by proclaiming, “Everything here is just better.”
Winter Blues on the Horizon?
The brightness of a British summer often masks the reality of the dreary winter months, and rumors are swirling that the couple might be reconsidering their exile from Trump’s America. Reports from the Mail on Sunday suggest that they are missing their friends and feeling uneasy about enduring another British winter. While homesickness is understandable, the optics of fleeing a troubling political climate only to retreat back because of chillier temperatures could be perceived as lacking conviction. As my mother would say, “Just put on another jumper, Ellen! Ditch those peculiar American notions about how the sky ought to be blue.”
A Trend Among Celebrities
DeGeneres and de Rossi aren’t isolated in this period of reflection. Since Donald Trump emerged on the political landscape, Hollywood has seen many figures announcing their plans to leave. However, few have actively followed through. For instance, comedian Amy Schumer famously stated she would relocate to Spain if Trump won, only to later clarify she was joking. Similarly, Miley Cyrus initially vowed to leave if Trump became president but later remarked on the inconsistency of her statements. Other celebrities, like Barbra Streisand, have threatened to leave during both the 2016 and 2024 elections, yet remain in the U.S.
The Reality for Some
While many celebrities joke about relocating, some have indeed made their exit. Courtney Love, residing in London since 2019, expressed intentions of acquiring British citizenship, influenced by concerns about the political climate in the U.S. Similarly, comedian Rosie O’Donnell moved her family to Ireland for the safety of her non-binary child, stating, “When you know it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
While it may seem trivial to poke fun at the self-deporting celebrities—who often live insulated from the daily realities of Trumpian politics—O’Donnell’s decision underscores genuine concerns for safety. Following a long-standing feud with Trump, O’Donnell faced unsettling threats that made her departure seem prudent.
Though a mass exodus of celebrities has yet to materialize, a notable brain drain is occurring among researchers and academics worried about the U.S.’s direction under Trump. A poll indicated that approximately 75% of researchers in the U.S. are contemplating leaving. Even some experts on authoritarianism are packing their bags, as highlighted by a video op-ed from Yale professors preparing to depart for Canada. Yet, for DeGeneres and de Rossi, the question remains: will they withstand the British weather or find themselves drawn back to Trump’s America?
Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you’d like to submit a response of up to 300 words via email for consideration in our letters section, please click here.