Imagine fleeing your home country over political fears, only to be chased back by something as mundane as rainy weather—talk about a plot twist that screams irony!
Hey there, let's chat about this without any hidden agendas. I'm no undercover supporter of any particular party; as someone from the UK living overseas, I genuinely don't mind wealthy folks from abroad snapping up our grand estates. That said, they should blend in a bit and leave some of their quirky overseas customs at the door to truly make the place feel like home for everyone.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, this one's for you folks. The famous pair from California jetted over to the UK right before Donald Trump clinched his election victory last year. Once the results rolled in, they quickly announced they were staying put on this calmer side of the ocean, vowing not to head back. Immigration rules like the 'one in, one out' policy—designed for folks arriving by small boats from France—clearly don't snag celebrities flying in on private jets. They snapped up a luxurious property in the picturesque Cotswolds region, and during a July public event, DeGeneres charmed the crowd by gushing that 'everything here is just better,' which won her some local fans.
Sure, it's a breeze to feel all rosy about life in the UK during those rare sunny summer days when the countryside bursts with lush greenery. But here's where it gets controversial... Now that the dreary winter chill has descended—with its endless gray skies and persistent dampness—whispers suggest these sun-seekers might be packing their bags for a Trump-led America. A report from the Mail on Sunday (grab that with a hefty dose of skepticism) claims they pine for their pals back home and dread enduring another soggy British winter. Homesickness is relatable, right? Yet, ditching a place over fears of rising authoritarian vibes, only to retreat because you're not fans of cooler temps, does chip away at your credibility. As my mum would quip with a wink: layer up with an extra sweater, Ellen! Ditch those sunny-side-up expectations of perpetual blue skies.
And this is the part most people miss: Ellen and Portia aren't alone in second-guessing their aversion to life under President Trump. Since he first stormed the political arena, Tinseltown has buzzed like a departure lounge at a major airport, with stars constantly teasing their exits. But actions? Not so much. Take comedian Amy Schumer back in 2016—she told BBC's Newsnight she'd hightail it to Spain or elsewhere if Trump won. Later, she admitted it was all in good fun, and honestly, her humor style makes it tricky to spot the punchlines sometimes. Miley Cyrus played the 'just kidding' card too after pledging in March 2016 to leave if he took office, insisting she never says what she doesn't mean—until she confessed otherwise. Barbra Streisand issued threats to bolt before both the 2016 and 2024 races but remains stateside.
That said, a few American stars have genuinely skipped town with no apparent return ticket. Courtney Love, who's called London home since around 2019, announced in March her intent to snag British citizenship. While not solely Trump-driven, she described the U.S. political climate as downright scary. Around then, Rosie O'Donnell shared she'd moved her family to Ireland, worried about her non-binary child, Clay. In a TikTok clip, she noted they'd only consider returning once America guarantees equal rights for all. Sure, it's tempting to poke fun at these privileged celebs self-exiling—shielded by their fortunes from everyday Trump-era impacts—but O'Donnell played it smart. She's locked in a decades-long spat with Trump, and earlier this year, the president floated revoking her citizenship (though legally dicey). When a leader with a devoted fanbase targets you amid rising political tensions, prioritizing safety makes total sense.
No celebrity stampede has materialized yet, but Trump's America is witnessing a troubling brain drain. A Nature journal survey revealed 75% of U.S. researchers pondering an exit amid funding slashes—think labs grinding to a halt and breakthroughs stalling. International students are cooling on U.S. dreams too, opting for other destinations. Experts on authoritarian regimes are heeding the warnings, suitcase in hand. Three Yale professors even dropped a stark video op-ed for the New York Times titled 'We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the US,' before heading to Canada—echoing 1933's harsh lessons: get out early. Chilling stuff. Yet, is a soggy Cotswolds winter really worse? That's the debate that fires up opinions. What do you think—does weather trump politics, or are these celebs just fair-weather activists? Drop your takes in the comments: agree, disagree, or got a better analogy? Let's discuss!
Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist
