Why is #RIPEllen Trending? Rumors and Memes Send the NBC Host Viral

To paraphrase Mark Twain: The reports of her death are greatly exaggerated.

Ellen Degeneres became the subject of a viral death hoax on Monday night after Twitter users were mistakenly led to believe the NBC talk show host had passed away.

There have been a lot of rumors lately about whether Degeneres’ show will be cancelled over weak ratings. This was taken up a notch, however, when people started posting memes online suggesting that Degeneres herself died.

she’s in heaven now ?? #ripellen :( pic.twitter.com/0wROtDlT51

— brianna 雪狼 (@briaputa) July 7, 2020

The New York Post reported that the death rumors originated from a false report claiming she fell off a roof. #RIPEllen continues to trend on Twitter as of this writing, so users are flooding social media with joking reactions, fake obituaries, and pictures of Degeneres’ look-alikes.

the last picture of her #ripellen ? pic.twitter.com/TMVBQBz5yi

— ً (@booksmarters) July 7, 2020

#ripellen fly high, angle ? pic.twitter.com/wMllaagG29

— hallie ? (@sacreddeer) July 7, 2020

#RipEllen i think we could all identify with her emo phase.. so heartbroken to hear she’s gone ? pic.twitter.com/W5vvVVTsbj

— juls (@visionsofawhore) July 7, 2020

guysss justin bieber killed Ellen ? #ripEllen https://t.co/EtC2N8feHx

— jared? ʜ.ᴀᴠ (@taylornology) July 7, 2020

#RIPELLEN gone too late ??
FLY HIGH ??‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/JrhpA97rOa

— яαω вєєƒ ?| #? ???? ????? ???? (@rosslynchcumrag) July 7, 2020

#RIPELLEN you will be missed☹️? pic.twitter.com/XETpQ3hqFj

— яαω вєєƒ ?| #? ???? ????? ???? (@rosslynchcumrag) July 7, 2020

Im in shock, rest Ellen ?#ripellen pic.twitter.com/XeKYlQXqdW

— cukoo bananas (@st4rph1re) July 7, 2020