Stephen Colbert Says He Understands Why Rosie and Ellen Left the U.S. — Hints He May Follow After CBS Firing

America’s late-night landscape is in upheaval. With Stephen Colbert’s *Late Show* canceled by CBS, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell living abroad, and Donald Trump’s re-election looming large, the intersection of politics, media, and personal conviction has never felt more fraught. What’s driving these iconic comedians to contemplate, or embrace, life outside the United States? The answer lies in a volatile mix of political pressure, personal backlash, and a shifting cultural climate that’s left even the most powerful feeling unmoored.

Stephen Colbert: From Satire to Self-Exile?

The recent cancellation of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*—a move CBS insists was “purely financial”—has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Colbert, whose biting satire and progressive politics made him a nightly staple, reportedly cost the network up to $50 million a year. But fans and critics alike suspect that political headwinds, not just economics, played a role.

In the wake of his firing, Colbert has spoken candidly about his future, telling audiences he understands why fellow comedians Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell chose to leave the country. He’s even considering doing the same, citing the increasingly hostile atmosphere for outspoken entertainers in Trump-era America. “I get it now,” Colbert admitted. “Sometimes you have to go where you’re wanted, or at least where you don’t feel like a target.”

Ellen DeGeneres: “We’re Staying Here”—Why She Left for the UK

Ellen DeGeneres, once America’s queen of daytime TV, now lives in the English countryside with wife Portia de Rossi. The move, she revealed in a recent appearance at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, was prompted by Donald Trump’s re-election and ongoing threats to LGBTQ rights in the US.

“We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, ‘He got in’,” DeGeneres recounted. “And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here.’”

Ellen’s relocation is about more than politics. She describes life in the UK as “simpler,” “cleaner,” and more welcoming—especially for LGBTQ couples. With American evangelical groups pushing to reverse gay marriage, Ellen and Portia are already considering a second wedding in Britain should US rights be rolled back.

But DeGeneres’ move also follows the turbulent end of her talk show, which was rocked by allegations of a toxic workplace culture. Branded “mean” by the press, Ellen says the reputation is “hurtful” and unfair, insisting, “I know who I am and I know that I’m an empathetic, compassionate person.” Her candidness about the pain of public perception underscores how personal and professional pressures can intertwine, pushing even the most visible stars to seek solace elsewhere.

Rosie O’Donnell: “Fascism Is Close”—Why She Won’t Stop Speaking Out

Rosie O’Donnell, another towering figure in American comedy, has relocated to Ireland and become one of Trump’s most outspoken celebrity critics. After Trump threatened to revoke her citizenship, Rosie took to TikTok to defend free speech and lambaste corporate media for capitulating to political pressure.

“There’s freedom of speech in the United States and democracy demands dissent… When fascism really takes hold, and believe me they’re close, threatening to take away citizenship from American citizens, getting people they don’t like thrown off of news channels and now off of CBS.”

O’Donnell blames Trump and corporate interests for Colbert’s firing, arguing that profit now trumps principle in American media. “Corporations are not people, they don’t have empathy. All they care about is one thing: money, money, money,” she said, echoing the sentiments of many who feel that late-night television’s golden age is ending not just because of ratings, but because of a chilling effect on dissent.

The Trump Response: Gloating and Grievances

Donald Trump, never one to shy away from a feud, celebrated Colbert’s firing on Truth Social, mocking the host’s talent and ratings, and predicting Jimmy Kimmel would be next. His comments, and his ongoing threats against critics like O’Donnell, have only intensified the sense among comedians that the climate for satire and dissent in America is growing ever more hostile.

CBS and the Corporate Line

CBS, for its part, insists the decision to cancel Colbert’s show was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,” but a purely financial move. The network praised Colbert as “irreplaceable,” retiring *The Late Show* franchise entirely rather than seeking a successor. Yet, with multiple high-profile hosts either canceled or considering self-exile, few believe the official narrative tells the whole story.

Conclusion: The End of an Era?

The departures of Colbert, DeGeneres, and O’Donnell mark more than the end of beloved shows—they signal a broader cultural shift. As political polarization intensifies and corporate media becomes more risk-averse, even America’s most successful comedians are finding it harder to speak freely, or even to stay.

Whether these stars return or continue their lives abroad, their stories are a warning: in today’s America, the cost of laughter can be high—and sometimes, the only way to keep your voice is to use it somewhere else.

The exodus of comedy’s brightest lights is not just about politics or ratings. It’s about what happens when the space for dissent and satire shrinks, and when those who once made America laugh must look elsewhere for the freedom to do so