Emma Thompson Recalls Unexpected Date Invite from President Donald Trump in 1997

Acclaimed actress Emma Thompson recounted a tale from the past regarding an unexpected phone call she received from Donald Trump, during a speech at the Locarno film festival in Switzerland where she was honored with the Leopard Club award.

In 1997, while filming the movie “Primary Colors”, based on Joe Klein’s novel depicting the ascension of President Bill Clinton, Thompson shared that her on-set trailer phone rang, and it was none other than Donald Trump on the line.

Thompson humorously mused that she initially believed it was a prank, inquiring, “How can I help you?” Perhaps he required directions, she thought.

Trump then proposed an invitation, Thompson recalled, stating, “I’d love you to come and stay at one of my beautiful places. Maybe we could have dinner.” Thompson graciously accepted the offer but made it clear that she would get back to him.

Reflecting on the encounter, Thompson disclosed that she later realized the significance of that day. It turned out that her divorce decree had been issued that same day following a long separation from her first husband, actor Kenneth Branagh.

Thompson’s anecdote is one she has shared before, including during an appearance on “The Graham Norton Show” in 2017, where she humorously remarked, “I could have changed the course of history.”