Ellen DeGeneres has broken her silence on the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in a rare political message, expressing her sorrow and support for peaceful demonstrations following the incident. The former television host, known for her typically apolitical public persona, shared a heartfelt video on Instagram addressing the people of Minneapolis directly.
DeGeneres Addresses Minneapolis Community
In a lengthy video posted on Sunday, the 67-year-old comedian and former talk show host spoke emotionally about the city of Minneapolis, where she filmed her last stand-up special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval. She described the city's residents as "couldn't have been more lovely" and referenced Minneapolis's reputation as "the happiest city in America," which she found to be true during her time there.
"I am so sorry for what is happening in Minneapolis and our country, really, but specifically Minneapolis right now," DeGeneres began in her video message. "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, I am just sending love."
The Renee Good Shooting Incident
The incident that prompted DeGeneres's statement occurred earlier this month when Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during an operation in Minneapolis. According to reports, Good's vehicle had blocked a street during the active ICE operation, leading to the confrontation.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed that officers were forced to open fire because Good had "engaged in domestic terrorism," though this characterization has been widely disputed. Footage of the confrontation captured by bystanders on mobile phones quickly circulated on social media, sparking international scrutiny of ICE and widespread outrage across the United States.
DeGeneres Shares Tribute to Renee Good
In a separate Instagram post, DeGeneres shared a photograph of Renee Good alongside a caption expressing her emotional response: "I'm so sad, and so angry, and so worried." The post included a repost of a message from former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, which featured a statement from Good's wife, Becca Good.
Becca's heartfelt letter described her late wife as someone who "kindness radiated out of" and who "literally sparkled." She wrote: "If you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind. In fact, kindness radiated out of her. Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn't wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine."
Williamson prefaced the letter with commentary on spirituality in politics, stating: "If anyone wonders about the role of spirituality in politics, this is it. It's not just a letter, it's a reminder. We honor both Renee and Becca by taking these words into our hearts and trying to live them day by day."
Widespread Protests and Political Context
The shooting has triggered mass demonstrations across numerous American cities, with protesters calling for justice and accountability in the case. The incident has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates about immigration enforcement practices and police use of force.
DeGeneres's decision to speak out represents a significant departure from her usual public commentary. The comedian confirmed in July that she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, relocated to the United Kingdom in November 2024 following Donald Trump's election to a second presidential term. "Yes. 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.' And we're like, 'We're staying here,'" she explained during a live conversation with broadcaster Richard Bacon.
However, just one month after their move, the couple placed their luxurious Cotswolds property on the market for $30 million, having purchased it for $20 million in spring 2024. DeGeneres explained their reasoning in a statement provided to The Wall Street Journal through U.K. Sotheby's International Realty: "When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn't live without her horses. We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them."
DeGeneres's rare political intervention comes at a time of heightened tension surrounding the Good case, with her message of support for peaceful protest adding a prominent voice to the national conversation about the incident and its broader implications.
