Ellen DeGeneres has confirmed she permanently relocated to the United Kingdom to escape President Donald Trump’s return to office

Ellen DeGeneres, the iconic comedian and former daytime talk show host, has confirmed that she and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, have permanently relocated to the United Kingdom. The decision, she revealed, was made on the night of the 2024 U.S. presidential election after Donald Trump secured a second term in office. The couple had been visiting the Cotswolds, a picturesque region of rolling hills and tranquil villages in south-central England, just prior to the election. Upon receiving the results, they decided not to return to the United States.

In a candid and reflective interview, DeGeneres described life in the UK as “cleaner, kinder, and more peaceful.” She expressed admiration for the country’s scenic landscapes, its treatment of animals, and what she characterized as a more respectful and socially considerate environment. “There’s just something gentler here,” she shared. “Even the quiet feels quieter. I think I needed that.”

The move, she explained, was not simply a reaction to one election result but rather the culmination of growing discomfort with the political and cultural direction of the United States. One particular concern she cited was the renewed political momentum aimed at undermining LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage protections. “We’ve been through this fight before,” DeGeneres said. “The idea that it’s coming around again—and with more intensity—was heartbreaking. I knew I didn’t want to wait and see how much worse it could get.”

Selling off their multimillion-dollar estates in California, the couple chose to downsize—at least in Hollywood terms—and settle into a countryside property in the English countryside. Their new home, which includes chickens, horses, and regular snowfall, marks a stark departure from the celebrity enclaves of Los Angeles. For DeGeneres, the change has brought an unexpected sense of renewal. “I saw snow for the first time in years,” she joked. “It sounds silly, but it was magical.”

Addressing the legacy of her talk show, which ended amid accusations of workplace toxicity and internal conflict, DeGeneres defended her demeanor, saying she had always been “direct, not cruel.” She noted the double standard female public figures often face, particularly when it comes to expectations around “niceness.” “There’s this unspoken rule that women—especially successful women—need to be endlessly soft, agreeable, smiling,” she said. “I don’t buy into that. I never did.”

Though she admitted that restarting a media career in the UK would be “difficult” in today’s entertainment market, DeGeneres emphasized that she’s not focused on professional pursuits at the moment. Instead, she’s prioritizing personal healing, mental health, and a slower pace of life. “Right now, peace is the project,” she said. “And for the first time in a long time, I’m actually living it.”

DeGeneres is not alone in her decision to leave the U.S. in the wake of Trump’s reelection. She welcomed other American public figures who have made similar moves, including comedian Rosie O’Donnell and writer Lena Dunham, both of whom have reportedly relocated to Europe quietly over the past year. “It’s not an exodus,” Ellen remarked with a laugh, “but it is a choice. A lot of us are choosing peace over chaos.”

The couple’s story echoes a broader sentiment felt by many Americans—celebrities and citizens alike—who have grown disillusioned with the country’s political climate, culture wars, and social unrest. While Ellen DeGeneres’ decision may have surprised some fans, for her, it represents clarity. “I’m not running away,” she said. “I’m walking toward something better, something calmer.”

She concluded the interview by stating she has no plans to return to the U.S. and that, for the first time in decades, she feels truly at home. “This is where I’m meant to be,” she said. “I’ve finally found the quiet life I always wanted.”