Imagine fleeing a brewing political tempest only to be lured back by something as mundane as a chilly drizzle—could that really be happening with some high-profile exiles from America's shores?
I'm not secretly rooting for any political shake-ups, you understand? As a British native now living elsewhere, I don't mind wealthy newcomers flocking to our shores and snapping up our grand estates. But hey, they should really blend in and leave those quirky foreign notions at the door.
Case in point: Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi. This iconic duo from California touched down in the UK just before Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 election. The moment the results rolled in, they vowed they weren't heading back (https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/21/ellen-degeneres-uk-move-donald-trump-ntwnfb), opting instead to stick around on what they saw as the more stable side of the pond. Now, I'm no expert on visa rules, but it appears those 'one in, one out' policies (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/10/starmer-one-in-one-out-deal-allow-uk-return-small-boat-migrants-france)—designed for folks arriving on humble dinghies—don't seem to apply to jet-setters gliding in on private planes. They scooped up a luxurious property in the picturesque Cotswolds, and DeGeneres charmed the local crowd during a public outing (https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/celebrity/ellen-degeneres-says-things-are-just-better-in-the-uk/ar-AA1J0P1R) in July, proclaiming, 'Everything here is just better.'
It's simple to stay optimistic in the heart of a British summer, with its lush landscapes and pleasant vibes. But as the winter's dreary fog rolls in, whispers are circulating that these fair-weather transplants might be eyeing a retreat to Trump territory. Per a report from the Mail on Sunday (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15338521/Ellen-DeGeneres-Portia-Rossi-Trump-California-winter.html)—take it with a grain or two of skepticism—the pair are pining for their pals back home and can't bear the idea of enduring another soggy UK winter. I get the pull of homesickness, truly, but it chips away at your credibility when you bolt from creeping authoritarianism, only to dash right back because you're not accustomed to a little nip in the air. As my mum would quip: just layer on an extra sweater, Ellen! And ditch those bizarre American expectations that the heavens should always be a clear blue.
But here's where it gets controversial— are these moves genuine protests against political upheaval, or just performative gestures from those cushioned by fame and fortune?
DeGeneres and de Rossi aren't the lone celebs reconsidering their stance on living amid Trump's era. Ever since Trump exploded onto the political stage, Hollywood has felt like a bustling airport terminal, with stars repeatedly announcing their impending exits. Yet, precious few have actually boarded the plane. Take comedian Amy Schumer, for instance (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0472r2n), who declared on Newsnight in 2016 that she'd 'move to Spain or somewhere' if Trump clinched the win. She later backpedaled, saying it was 'said in jest' (https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/305363-amy-schumer-says-vow-to-leave-country-was-a-joke/). And to be honest, with Schumer, it's often tricky to gauge when she's aiming for laughs.
Miley Cyrus played the 'just kidding' card too, explaining her shifting relocation plans. Back in March 2016, she pledged to depart if Trump took office, insisting (https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/271683-miley-cyrus-pledges-to-leave-us-if-trump-wins/), 'I don’t say things I don’t mean!' But she soon clarified (https://www.nme.com/features/miley-cyrus-younger-now-interview-2145135) that, actually, she does utter things she doesn't fully intend. Meanwhile, Barbra Streisand (https://www.salon.com/2023/11/15/barbra-streisand-says-she-cant-live-in-this-country-if-donald-wins-the-presidency/) has threatened to bail ahead of both the 2016 and 2024 elections, yet she remains firmly planted in the States.
That said, a select few American stars have genuinely taken flight and show no signs of circling back. In March, Courtney Love—who's been calling London home since roughly 2019—announced her intention to pursue British citizenship. While this choice isn't solely tied to Trump's second term, she described the American political climate as 'frightening' (https://people.com/courtney-love-getting-british-citizenship-six-months-report-11698584).
Around the same period, comedian Rosie O'Donnell uprooted her family to Ireland, driven by worries for her non-binary child (https://people.com/rosie-o-donnell-opens-up-about-child-clay-12-coming-out-nonbinary-11745558) Clay. 'When you know it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back,' she stated in a TikTok clip. Sure, it's tempting to poke fun at these self-imposed exiles—many shielded by their riches from the harsher realities of Trump's policies—but O'Donnell likely made a prudent call. She's been locked in a bitter rivalry with Trump, and earlier this year, the president mused about revoking her US citizenship (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trumps-threat-to-take-away-rosie-odonnells-u-s-citizenship). Legally, he probably can't pull that off, but when a leader with a fervent following singles you out in a nation where political tensions are escalating into violence, it's only natural to prioritize your family's safety.
And this is the part most people miss—it's not just celebrities potentially packing up; the US is grappling with a broader 'brain drain,' where talented individuals are fleeing due to political shifts. To clarify for newcomers, brain drain refers to the loss of skilled professionals—think scientists, academics, and innovators—who leave a country, often weakening its economy and intellectual landscape. A survey from Nature journal revealed that 75% of US researchers (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/top-researchers-consider-leaving-u-s-amid-funding-cuts-the-science-world-is-ending) are mulling over an exit. Foreign students, too, are cooling on studying in America (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/05/21/america-is-in-danger-of-experiencing-an-academic-brain-drain). On top of that, scholars specializing in authoritarian regimes are seeing red flags and grabbing their suitcases. Consider this stark headline from a New York Times video op-ed: 'We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the US,' penned by three Yale professors (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/why-a-professor-of-fascism-left-the-us-the-lesson-of-1933-is-you-get-out) before they relocated to Canada. It's a sobering warning, drawing parallels to historical exits from rising totalitarian threats—but is it overblown, or a legitimate alarm bell for democracy?
Do you think celebrities like DeGeneres are hypocrites for considering a return, or are we too quick to judge their comfort needs? Is the brain drain a real threat to America's future, or just temporary panic? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with these moves, or see them as something else entirely? Let's discuss!
Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist
