In an emotional address from her multi-million-pound Cotswolds estate, former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has publicly condemned United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
An Emotional Plea from Across the Atlantic
The 67-year-old comedian, appearing notably slender, filmed a roughly minute-long video on Sunday. She expressed her sorrow and anger over the recent turmoil in the American city, where she filmed her last stand-up special two years ago. DeGeneres specifically praised peaceful protesters and lamented those "hurt just for protesting."
Her remarks are a direct reference to the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7 while protesting in her car. Earlier that Sunday, DeGeneres had penned a social media post honouring Good, captioning it, "I’m so sad, and so angry, and so worried."
Unrest Linked to Online Allegations
The current unrest in Minneapolis traces back to a December YouTube video by conservative commentator Nick Shirley. The video alleged a $100 million fraud scheme involving Somali child care centres. As the story gained traction, the US administration deployed hundreds of ICE agents to Minnesota for an immigration crackdown.
One law enforcement officer confirmed to CNN this month that the Department of Homeland Security’s deployment was partly due to Shirley’s video. The fatal shooting of Renee Good occurred during protests against this agent deployment. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Monday that an internal review of the incident is underway.
A Controversial Star's Transatlantic Move
DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, left the United States in late 2024 following Donald Trump's election victory. They have since resided in a lavish seven-bedroom Cotswolds manor, reportedly worth around $19 million. However, the couple was spotted in California over Christmas, with reports suggesting the British weather drove them back temporarily.
Allegations of a toxic work environment on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which ran from 2003 until its cancellation in 2022, have followed the star. In 2020, multiple staffers spoke to BuzzFeed about bullying, leading to the firing of three top producers. DeGeneres later told The Hollywood Reporter she was "shocked and surprised" by the claims.
In her video message, DeGeneres recalled choosing Minneapolis for her special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, because it was dubbed "the happiest city in America." She concluded her emotional statement by sending love to the city, writing in an accompanying caption, "I love you."
