Ellen DeGeneres ditched Trump’s America. But will the British weather send her running back?
Let’s be real: rich immigrants aren’t exactly roughing it in the UK. As a Brit (even one living abroad), I’ve got no issue with wealthy folks moving in—as long as they embrace the local culture and leave their 'unique' ideas at the door. And yes, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, I’m looking at you. The California power couple landed in the UK just before Trump’s election victory, promptly declaring they’d stay on the 'saner side of the Atlantic.' I’m curious how the immigration process worked for them, because it seems like the ‘one in, one out’ policies only apply to small boats, not private jets. They snagged a swanky Cotswolds estate, and DeGeneres even charmed the locals by gushing, ‘Everything here is just better.’
But here’s where it gets tricky: British summers are all sunshine and roses, but winters? Not so much. Now, rumors swirl that the couple is longing for their California friends and dreading another chilly season. Look, I get homesickness, but fleeing fascism only to bail because of a little cold weather? That’s a tough look. As my mum would say, ‘Throw on another sweater, Ellen!’ Maybe it’s time to ditch the idea that the sky has to be blue.
And this is the part most people miss: DeGeneres and De Rossi aren’t alone in their Trump-induced wanderlust. Hollywood’s been threatening to flee since Trump entered politics, but few have actually packed their bags. Remember Amy Schumer’s 2016 vow to ‘move to Spain or somewhere’ if Trump won? She later called it a joke—though with Schumer, it’s hard to tell. Miley Cyrus did the same, pledging to leave, then backtracking with a ‘just kidding.’ Even Barbra Streisand threatened to exit twice, but she’s still stateside.
But here’s the controversial bit: While many celebs cry wolf, some have genuinely left. Courtney Love, a London resident since 2019, is pursuing British citizenship, calling the US political climate ‘frightening.’ Rosie O’Donnell relocated her family to Ireland, citing safety concerns for her non-binary child, Clay. ‘We’ll return when America ensures equal rights for all,’ she said. It’s easy to mock these self-deporting stars, but O’Donnell’s move was likely smart. With Trump targeting her—even threatening to strip her citizenship—and political violence rising, her fear is understandable.
Here’s the bigger picture: Celebs aside, the US is facing a brain drain. A Nature poll found 75% of researchers consider leaving, and international students are losing interest. Even experts on authoritarianism are packing up. Three Yale professors titled their op-ed, ‘We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the US,’ before moving to Canada. Chilling, right? But let’s be honest—a damp Cotswolds winter might be scarier.
So, will Ellen stay or go? And more importantly, what does her choice say about the state of the world? Let’s debate in the comments—I’m all ears.
