Chelsea Handler gave her ex-boyfriend 35 linden trees as a ‘cunning’ breakup gift. 15 falls later, he’s still texting her because of them
Celebrity comic and host, Chelsea Handler, knew exactly what she was doing with her parting gift
Sometimes people don't realize a breakup was a mistake until it's too late. American actress and comedian Chelsea Handler shared a little about her previous relationship during her appearance on The Burnouts podcast (@theburnouts). But Handler isn't the one still pining. During the episode, she revealed to the hosts, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, a parting gift she gave her ex-boyfriend: 35 Linden trees. While it may not have made sense at the time, 15 years later, Handler's plan worked. The video was shared on August 23, 2026, and it has received 332,000 views since.
15 years of yearning
Handler did not reveal who the ex-boyfriend was, but she hinted that he had an estate in upstate New York. Before parting ways with him, she gifted him 35 Linden trees. She explained, "The trees basically lined his driveway on either side, forming a canopy overhead." But that was not where her devious plan ended. She elaborated, "I knew they were going to be gorgeous during every season up there. Every spring and fall, he texts me and says, 'Look at your trees, please come back.'" She then dropped the bomb, saying it had been going on for 15 years. Every year he would text her, but she's not going back.
In an extended version of the interview on YouTube, Handler revealed that the two had been in a "pretty toxic relationship" and that she ultimately "had to break up with him." She admitted the trees were not an entirely innocent parting gift either — she wanted him to know "what he was missing."
No going back
Breakups can be messy, and while many move on, some couples do try to make it work, giving each other second chances. A 2021 YouGov survey found that 21% of the respondents have gotten back with an ex more than once, 23% reported going back to their ex once, while 47% said once the relationship is over, it's done. The poll also found that Millennials (24%) tended to go back to their exes more than once compared to Gen Zs (12%). Baby Boomers (59%) were the least likely to rekindle a relationship, followed by Gen Xs (45%). Handler was one of the latter. Despite his recurring pleas to reconcile, Handler said she has no intention of returning and added that she would not recommend getting back together with an ex.
'Queen behavior'
People in the comments had mixed opinions about Handler's confession. Some believed it was fake, while others praised her for her level of pettiness. @valwantsafernet wrote, "Queen behavior." @ronaterno commented, "I think he was saying, 'Please don’t come back, and that’s why I’m sending you pictures so you don’t have to come and see it for yourself.'"
You can follow The Burnouts (@theburnouts) on Instagram for more celebrity interviews.
More on Scoop Upworthy
Spanx's founder recalls husband telling men at a party: 'She's the Michael Jordan of underwear'
Share on Facebook
