Ellen DeGeneres Returns to US After Trump Drove Her Abroad, But Insists $27m California Mansion is 'Temporary'

Ellen DeGeneres has returned to California more than a year after relocating to the English countryside, citing US President Donald Trump's election victory as a reason for her departure.

The 68-year-old comedian and her wife, Portia de Rossi, purchased a £22.1 million ($27 million) mansion in Montecito, Southern California, but sources say the couple intends to make the move temporary. While enjoying the warmer weather and horse-riding opportunities, DeGeneres has emphasised that she and de Rossi remain committed to their life in the Cotswolds, where they settled for privacy and a slower pace of life.

Ellen DeGeneres' Return to US Only 'Temporary'

A source familiar with the couple told Fox News Digital that DeGeneres and de Rossi planned to spend only the winter in Montecito. The insider explained that the return was motivated by seasonal activities the couple missed, including polo and horse riding, which de Rossi particularly enjoyed.

The source stressed that the couple's permanent home remains in England, and they fully intend to return to the UK after a few months in California.

DeGeneres' return comes after selling their prior Montecito estate in August 2024 to move to a farmhouse in the Cotswolds. At the time, the comedian and her wife cited the outcome of the November 2024 US election as a major factor in their decision, indicating discomfort with the political climate under Trump.

DeGeneres' move abroad surprised colleagues and friends. Comedian Rosie O'Donnell said she was 'shocked' that Trump's election influenced the relocation, as DeGeneres had rarely discussed political matters publicly before. O'Donnell emphasised that while she personally had a political life, she had not expected it to impact DeGeneres' professional or personal decisions.

Nonetheless, she wished the couple well, noting that their choice to prioritise peace and privacy was understandable.

One of their most notable homes in the US was a sprawling Tuscan‑style mansion that they bought in 2022 for about £18 million ($22.5 million), then sold in early 2024 for about £25.8 million ($32 million) after extensive renovation.

They also owned a smaller Montecito beachside bungalow near Butterfly Beach, which they purchased for £2.3 million ($2.9 million) and sold in March 2025 for £4.2 million ($5.2 million).

Which Political Party is Ellen DeGeneres On?

DeGeneres has long been associated with Democratic‑leaning views and liberal causes, even though she often presented herself as reluctant to be overtly political in her career.

She made donations to Democratic committees, including tens of thousands of dollars during the 2016 election cycle, and gave to Democratic figures such as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in previous years. She also reiterated her 2024 support for former Vice‑President Kamala Harris on social media, urging followers to vote.

DeGeneres has been openly critical of Trump, once saying she would not invite him on her show because his values were 'against everything that I stand for'.

Life in the English Countryside

Since relocating, DeGeneres has maintained a relatively private lifestyle in the Cotswolds. She has shared glimpses of farm life on social media, including caring for chickens and temporary sheep, while de Rossi flew her horses to the UK.

The move offered the couple a slower, more private lifestyle compared with Hollywood, with DeGeneres describing the area as 'absolutely beautiful' and noting the polite treatment of both animals and people.

DeGeneres explained that they arrived in England the day before the 2024 election and immediately realised they would stay after Trump's victory. She recalled the experience as emotional, describing friends' text messages with crying emojis and her own reaction: 'We're staying here'.

The actress-comedian also shared that the move allowed them to experience new surroundings, including seeing snow for the first time in her life.