In a move that has reignited the debate over her recent relocation choices, Ellen DeGeneres has admitted she was in no mood for celebration as she marked her 68th birthday on Monday, Jan. 26. The former talk show icon, who recently swapped the British countryside for a return to the California sunshine, shared a sombre update with her millions of followers, revealing that the current state of world events has cast a long shadow over her personal milestones.
Posting a selfie alongside her wife, Portia de Rossi, the comedian struck a reflective tone. 'It's a tough day to feel like celebrating a birthday,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I'm holding space for what's happening in our world and holding close what I'm grateful for. Like my wife. And cookies.'
Ellen DeGeneres Reacts to Deadly Minneapolis Shooting
The somber mood appears to be a direct response to the escalating violence in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Just two days prior, on Saturday, Jan. 24, the city was rocked by the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
Pretti, described by colleagues as a dedicated professional with an 'easy smile', was fatally shot by federal agents during a confrontation amidst ongoing protests. The nurse, who was a US citizen with no criminal record, was reportedly protecting a woman pushed down by agents before he was tackled and killed.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, particularly as mobile phone footage appears to contradict initial federal claims that Pretti was a 'gunman'. Though authorities like DHS Secretary Kristi Noem insisted Pretti was a 'domestic terrorist' who 'brandishing' a 9mm handgun, video evidence shows him holding a cellphone before being tackled and shot multiple times.
Ellen DeGeneres previously highlighted the human cost of the tragedy by sharing a video of the nurse on Sunday with the simple, poignant caption: 'This is Alex Pretti'. This marks the second time this month that the comedian has used her platform to address federal enforcement actions in the city.
On Jan. 17, she expressed feeling 'so sad, and so angry, and so worried' following the death of Renee Good. Good, also 37 and a mother of three, was shot dead by an ICE officer named Jonathan Ross on Jan. 7 while driving away from a protest. Independent autopsy results later revealed Good was shot three times, including a fatal wound to the head.
Divided Fans Question the Selective Activism of Ellen DeGeneres
While many have applauded the star for using her voice to support peaceful protesters, her comments have also drawn a sharp backlash. Critics on social media were quick to point out what they perceived as selective empathy, frequently referencing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last autumn.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck by a sniper on Sept. 10, 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University, an event that sent shockwaves through the American political landscape. Authorities later arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the shooting, though he has not yet entered a plea. 'You should be sad for yourself since your posts and support are selective,' one user wrote. Another pointedly asked, 'Did Charlie Kirk's assassination make you sad and angry too?.'
Beyond her political stances, the comedian's living situation continues to be a point of contention for some. After famously declaring she would leave the United States following the 2024 election, she and de Rossi purchased a rural home in the Cotswolds. However, by November 2025, the pair reportedly decided to spend more time in California, fueling public comments such as 'Stay in the UK, please.'
Sources suggest the move back was motivated by the couple missing their friends and struggling with British winters. As she navigates her 68th year, it remains to be seen if the star will permanently settle back into the Hollywood fold or continue to bridge the gap between her quiet life abroad and the loud, often tragic, political realities of her home country.
