Comedian Rosie O’Donnell recently expressed her surprise over Ellen DeGeneres’s decision to move out of the United States following Donald Trump’s re-election. O’Donnell, who relocated to Europe for political reasons, did not expect DeGeneres to make a similar move, as she has not been known for her political statements.
In a recent interview with US Weekly, O’Donnell shared her feelings about DeGeneres’s departure. “I’ve never really known Ellen to say anything political in her life, so I was surprised to read that she left because of President Trump,” O’Donnell said. She described herself as a lifelong political person, contrasting her views with DeGeneres’s more private approach.
DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to the English countryside last year, selling most of their properties in the U.S. They still own at least one home that requires a "chicken sitter," according to reports from People.
O’Donnell has been vocal about her reasons for moving to Ireland, which are primarily centered around concerns for her transgender-identifying child. She has also had a long-standing feud with Trump, which adds to her motivations for leaving the U.S. In her interview, she stated, “I was very clear about the reason why I was leaving, and I don’t think it came as a surprise to anyone.”
Regarding her relationship with DeGeneres, O’Donnell acknowledged past tensions. She noted that they are not closely connected anymore and wished DeGeneres well, saying, “I don’t want to fight against another gay woman.” She added that while they have had unresolved issues, she hopes DeGeneres finds peace and happiness.
O’Donnell reminisced about a moment from a 2022 appearance on “Watch What Happens Live,” where she recalled a comment made by DeGeneres during a Larry King interview. DeGeneres had said she didn’t know O’Donnell, which hurt her because they had been friends for years. O’Donnell later mentioned that DeGeneres apologized for the comment, stating she didn’t remember saying it.
Overall, O’Donnell’s reflections reveal a mix of surprise, concern, and a desire for reconciliation, highlighting the complexities of friendships in the public eye.