Emma Thompson has revealed that Donald Trump asked her out on a date on the same day she got divorced.
The actress, aged 66, mentioned that the then 79-year-old President of the US invited her to dinner immediately after her marriage to Kenneth Branagh, a fellow British actor, was officially ended.
During the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on Saturday, Dame Emma recounted an event when she was in her trailer filming “Primary Colors,” a 1998 movie inspired by Bill Clinton’s path to the presidency, and received a phone call.
The award-winning actress said Trump was on the line and initially she thought it was a joke, the Telegraph reported.
She explained: ‘It was Donald Trump on the line. He introduced himself, saying: “Hello, this is Donald Trump.” Initially thinking it was a prank, I replied: “How can I assist you?” perhaps assuming he was lost and needed guidance.
‘Then he said: “I’d love you to come and stay at one of my beautiful places. Maybe we could have dinner.”
‘I said: “Well, that’s very sweet. Thank you so much. I’ll get back to you”.’
The surprising phone call came after the president has separated from his second wife, Marla Maples, with whom he shares Tiffany Trump.
Emma Thompson shared that Donald Trump had asked her out on a date the very day her divorce was finalized, while discussing the incident at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on Saturday.
The surprising phone call came after the president has separated from his second wife, Marla Maples (pictured together)
Dame Emma described how she was in her trailer while filming Primary Colours, when her phone rang (pictured with John Travolta in the 1998 film)
At the time, the 47th US President had yet to set his sights on politics and was instead focusing on expanding his New York real estate empire.
Meanwhile, the Harry Potter star had declared her separation from Branagh in 1995 and began a romantic relationship with her “Sense and Sensibility” co-star Greg Wise, whom she eventually married.
She revealed this story during a career Q&A session at the glittering film festival, jokingly suggesting that had she accepted a date with the Republican figure, it could have altered the trajectory of American history.
She also suggested that she was chosen by his team as a suitable person to be seen in public dating.
She added: ‘I bet he’s got people looking for suitable people he could take out on his arm. You know, a nice divorcee, that’s what he was looking for.’
The Harry Potter actress had announced her split from fellow British actor Kenneth Branagh in 1995 (pictured together in 1994)
The star began a relationship with her co-star Greg Wise, whom she later married, after meeting on the set of Sense and Sensibility (pictured together in 2023)
Marla Maples and President Trump share a daughter Tiffany (pictured outside the Minskoff Theatre in New York City in March 29, 1994)
The star, who is a staunch member of the Labour party and even supported Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and bid for Prime Minister in 2019, added: ‘I could have changed the course of American history.’
The festival gave Dame Emma Leopard Club Award for career achievements.
Dame Emma has always been an outspoken political activist and last year led thousands of people on a march in London aimed at persuading politicians to prioritise nature and climate.
More than 350 charities, businesses and direct action groups were taking part in the Restore Nature Now march, along with Dame Emma, businessman Dale Vince and naturalists Chris Packham and Steve Backshall.
