Ellen DeGeneres Catches Flack for Admitting she Drove While Intoxicated

Embattled daytime television host Ellen DeGeneres has been criticized online for telling an audience that she drove her wife Portia de Rossi to the hospital during an emergency after she had consumed three “weed drinks” and sleeping aids.

DeGeneres told the tale of de Rossi’s emergency appendectomy last month on late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s cannabis-themed episode.  

The 63-year-old comedian explained that she typically does not partake in the recreational drug because she “hates the way it feels,” but she decided to try it out on the same night her wife began complaining of pain and had to go into surgery. 

“So, Chelsea Handler told me about these weed drinks, they’re called Cann, and they have CBD or [THC]—I don’t know what the good thing is,” Ellen remembered. “I drank one, and I didn’t feel anything, so I drank three, and then I took two melatonin sleep pills. And I’m laying in bed, and I realize [Portia’s] not in bed.”

She heard noises and noticed De Rossi writhing in pain on the floor.  “She’s moaning. I get out of bed, and she’s on the ground on all fours, and I said, ‘You’re not OK.’ She goes, ‘I’m OK.’ I said, ‘No, unless you’re playing Twister by yourself, you’re not OK.’ So I rushed her to the emergency room.”

Kimmel asked if DeGeneres drove her to the hospital while she was impaired, and she confessed that “I did. I mean, I kicked in, like my adrenaline, because I just had to rush her there. It’s probably not safe.” Then noted, “I shouldn’t be saying any of this.”

Twitter users were appalled at her reckless behavior. “I lose ALL RESPECT FOR PEOPLE WHO do this careless c**p,” wrote one commenter. “Getting behind the wheel knowing they’re compromised.” 

One user replied, “That’s what ambulances are for,” while another pointed out that “she’s beyond rich and could’ve gotten someone else to drive.”

Marie Finn