Ellen DeGeneres made a rare public political statement on Sunday, Jan. 18, posting about the fatal Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
DeGeneres, 67, shared two Instagram posts about Good’s death. One was a video message addressed to Minneapolis, and the other featured a photo of Good.
“Hey everybody, I just wanted to say, I am so sorry for what is happening in Minneapolis and our country, really, but specifically Minneapolis right now because that’s where I shot my last stand-up special and everybody there couldn’t have been more lovely,” DeGeneres said in the video, referencing her 2024 Netflix special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval.
“I shot it there because they say it’s the happiest city in America. And I found that to be true,” she continued. “So 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.”
She closed the message simply: “Anyway, I am just sending love.”
In her second post, DeGeneres reposted a message originally shared by author and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, adding her own reaction: “I’m so sad, and so angry, and so worried.”
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Williamson’s caption included an excerpt from a letter written by Good’s wife, Becca Good, which Williamson noted had been published by Minnesota Public Radio on Jan. 9.
“If anyone wonders about the role of spirituality in politics, this is it,” Williamson wrote before introducing Becca’s words. “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.”
Becca’s letter begins by describing her wife’s presence and character:
“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.”
The letter continues: “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.”
Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 while driving with her wife and dog, shortly after dropping her six-year-old off at school. She died from a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. She was 37.
Video footage circulating online appears to capture moments before the shooting. Shared on Jan. 9 by Alpha News and described as being from the agent’s perspective, the clip shows a confrontation between Good and the officer later identified as Jonathan Ross. In the video, Good is behind the wheel of her SUV, parked perpendicular to the roadway, as the person filming circles the vehicle.
“That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you,” Good can be heard saying. Becca records the scene on her phone and addresses the same person outside the car. “And just so you know, it will be the same plate when you come talk to us later. That’s fine,” she says.
She adds, “You want to come at us? Go get yourself some lunch, big boy.”
Moments later, a voice yells, “Get out of the car. Get out of the car. Get out of the f—ing car.”
As Becca reaches for the passenger door, Renee is seen reversing and then turning the wheel as she drives forward toward the roadway, with Becca saying, “Drive, baby, drive — drive!”
At that point, multiple gunshots can be heard. Afterward, a voice says, “F—ing bitch.” It’s unclear who said the comment or who it was directed at.
Separate bystander videos of the shooting showed Ross, who was masked, firing multiple shots into Renee’s vehicle, including from the driver’s side front window, before the vehicle crashed.
Since Good’s death, federal agents have continued raids in Minnesota. On Monday, Jan. 19, DeGeneres posted again in support of protesters opposing federal activity, sharing a video with the caption: “Hold on.”
