In a surprising move that’s stirred up plenty of backlash, former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres posted a video to Instagram voicing her support for anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis, calling them “brave” and saying she’s “proud” of those demonstrating, especially those doing so peacefully.
She also expressed sympathy for anyone “hurt just for protesting,” which appears to reference the recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICE agitator Renee Good.
Now, let’s not forget: Ellen left the U.S. back in 2024 after Trump returned to the White House, packing up and buying herself an $18 million farmhouse in the English countryside. So hearing her weigh in now—about a situation she’s literally across the ocean from—wasn’t exactly expected, but definitely headline-grabbing.
In the video, Ellen recalls how much she loved Minneapolis, the site of her last standup special, calling it “the happiest city in America.” Her tone was somber, reflective, but firmly planted in solidarity with protesters. The key phrase? “Doing what you should be doing.” That’s Ellen’s endorsement, loud and clear, of the movement—and likely a swipe at how law enforcement has responded.
But here’s where things get messy. The incident she’s referencing—the death of Renee Good—was not some random act of violence. It happened during a chaotic confrontation involving ICE and activists who have been emboldened by a political narrative painting ICE agents as the face of fascism. And while ICE has existed across multiple presidencies, from Bush to Obama to Biden, it’s only under Trump’s leadership that the left has ramped up the rhetoric to eleven.
Ellen DeGeneres says her thoughts and prayers go out to the Anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 19, 2026
Meanwhile, state leaders like Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar have drawn fire for not just tolerating the rising tide of unrest, but—according to critics—pouring gasoline on it. Their words, their platforms, and their silence when things spiral have all been called out for emboldening groups that now see direct confrontation with federal law enforcement as a noble cause.
So when Ellen DeGeneres, from her cozy British farmhouse, praises that same energy—no matter how peacefully framed—it lands like a thunderclap in a country already fraying at the edges.
Especially when the protests in question have included storming churches, clashing with law enforcement, and leading to deaths.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about one Instagram post. It’s about a celebrity echoing a movement that’s being propped up by political leaders who refuse to acknowledge the chaos unfolding on their watch. And it’s about whether support from afar does more to help—or to inflame—a city and a country on edge.
