Ellen DeGeneres Shares Inspiring Message Backing Minneapolis Protesters

Ellen DeGeneres recently addressed the ongoing unrest in Minneapolis, sharing her thoughts in a candid video on Sunday. The former talk show host delivered her message from her luxurious $19 million residence in the UK.

In the brief video, DeGeneres, who is 67, expressed her disapproval of the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. She also commended the efforts of protesters, highlighting those who have suffered while standing up for their beliefs.

Her comments seemed to allude to the tragic incident involving Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis protester who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a demonstration on January 7.

Appearing visibly moved and thinner than usual, DeGeneres shared her sorrow in the emotional video.

The incident is currently under investigation and DeGeneres earlier in the day penned a post in Good’s honor. She wrote as a caption, ‘I’m so sad, and so angry, and so worried.’

“Hey everybody, I just wanted to say I am so sorry for what is happening in Minneapolis, and in our country, really,” she began, expressing her heartfelt concern.

‘Hey everybody I just wanted to say I am so sorry for what is happening in Minneapolis, and our country, really,’ she began.

‘But specifically Minneapolis right now, because it’s where I shot my last stand up special. And everybody there couldn’t have been more lovely.’

Ellen DeGeneres took to social media to offer an emotional message to residents of Minneapolis on Sunday

The comic criticized ICE agents for’ hurt[ing]’ protesters speaking out against their presence. Pictured, protesters are seen in the downtown section of Minneapolis on Saturday

The comic continued: ‘I shot it there because they said it’s the happiest city in America, and I found that to be true.’

‘So my thoughts and my prayers are going out to everyone, and I’m proud of everyone who’s protesting peacefully, and I am sorry for anyone who has been hurt just for protesting, for doing what you should be doing.    

‘Anyway, just sending love.’

An accompanying caption saw DeGeneres tell the city of Minneapolis ‘I love you.’

She left the US with longtime wife Portia De Rossi in late 2024, shortly after Donald Trump’s election win.

The pair have called a lavish seven-bedroom estate in the Cotswolds home ever since. 

Late last year, it was reported that the miserable British weather had driven the couple back to California and they were seen shopping in the Golden State over Christmas. 

Claims that DeGeneres was a domineering diva during her daytime talk heyday, however, have managed to follow her across the pond.

The Ellen DeGeneres show ran from 2003 until 2022. It was canceled shortly after claims of on-set bullying emerged.   

Earlier in the day penned a post in honor of slain protester Renee Good, writing ‘I’m so sad, and so angry, and so worried’

DeGeneres was finally exposed after several staffers spoke to BuzzFeed in 2020 about the awful atmosphere behind the scenes of her show.

Workers said they’d been fired for taking bereavement leave and after taking sick leave following a suicide attempt.

A tidal wave of allegations followed and personal anecdotes about the star’s alleged meanness spread like wildfire on social media.

Three top producers were fired over claims they’d kept a ‘choke hold’ on staff complaints that prevented them from being escalated.

DeGeneres claimed to have been shocked about bullying on her show while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter after her cancellation.

‘I think that I learned a lot, and there were some things that came up that I was shocked and surprised by. It was eye-opening, but I just trust that that had to happen,’ she said at the time.

Her last standup special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, was filmed in Minneapolis two years later – two months before Trump’s win.

The recent unrest in the city, meanwhile, can be traced back a December YouTube video from conservative commentator Nick Shirley, which claimed to have uncovered a $100 million fraud scheme involving Somali child care centers. 

The longtime TV host left the US with wife Portia De Rossi in late 2024 after Donald Trump’s election win

As the story gained traction, the administration deployed hundreds of ICE agents to Minnesota to engage in an immigration crackdown. Good was gunned down while in the driver’s seat of her car while protesting the agents’ deployment

One law enforcement officer told CNN this month that the Department of Homeland Security’s deployment to Minnesota was due in part to Shirley’s video.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Monday that it was conducting an internal rereview of the incident.