Since Donald Trump’s second term began, Britain has emerged as a haven for American celebrities and affluent Democrats seeking refuge from the political climate in the U.S.
Recent data from the British Home Office reveals that in the year ending March, nearly 7,000 U.S. citizens applied for British citizenship or indefinite leave to remain—the highest figure since records started in 2004. Notably, one-third of these applications were submitted after Trump’s inauguration in early 2025.
High-profile figures have led the exodus. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, staunch Kamala Harris supporters, relocated to the Cotswolds, selling their Montecito properties after feeling “very disillusioned” by Trump’s victory, per TMZ. Ellen’s recent Instagram reel, captioned “English country life,” showcases her lavish estate, complete with chickens and a frolicking rabbit.
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell settled in Ireland, stating in a March TikTok video that she’ll only “consider coming back” when America is “safe for all citizens to have equal rights.” British actress Minnie Driver, prompted by Trump’s win, left Los Angeles to return to the UK. Others, including Barbra Streisand—who vowed she “can’t live in this country if [Trump] becomes president”—as well as Cher and America Ferrera, are reportedly contemplating similar moves. Lena Dunham, Ryan Gosling, and Eva Mendes also swapped the U.S. for London before Trump’s second term began.
Yet, these progressive newcomers may be in for a surprise. Britain, despite its Labour prime minister, is not the liberal utopia they might expect. The populist Reform party, led by Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage, is gaining traction, with polls suggesting 40% of Britons believe Farage could become the next prime minister. Farage, a polarizing anti-immigration figure with a Trump-like following, commands fierce loyalty.
Like Trump, Farage’s base remains unshaken by controversy. For instance, a Reform candidate from Yorkshire, exposed for saying, “Black people should get off their lazy arses and stop acting like savages,” still secured second place in a parliamentary race. Recently, a Reform advert attacking Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar for allegedly prioritizing “the Pakistani community” sparked outrage but no apology.
Beyond politics, Britain’s social fabric is fraying. A car-ramming incident in Liverpool this week injured dozens celebrating a soccer victory. Last summer, the murder of three young girls at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport by Axel Rudakubana, a child of Sudanese immigrants, ignited riots. Mobs attacked mosques, and public anger surged over perceived cover-ups of issues related to unassimilated immigrants and asylum-seekers.
The influx of wealthy American expatriates has sparked a nuanced debate about immigration in Britain. While rarely acknowledged, a distinction exists between “Good Migrants” and “Bad Migrants.” In 2024, 694 boats carrying an average of 53 illegal immigrants each landed on British shores, costing taxpayers £6 million daily in hotel expenses. All parties now agree that action is needed to address illegal immigration.
Conversely, high-profile arrivals like Ellen DeGeneres, with her $18 million Cotswolds farmhouse, are warmly welcomed. Echoing Trump’s “gold card” concept for elite immigrants, the UK home secretary recently announced “provisions to qualify more swiftly that take account of the contribution people have made,” paving the way for more celebrity settlers.
While American celebrities are a boon for Britain, their vision of a progressive paradise may falter as they encounter a nation grappling with its own populist and social challenges. Their time in Britain may prove shorter than planned.
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
