An ‘Incredibly Creepy’ Call: Emma Thompson Recalls Donald Trump Asking Her Out After Her Divorce

Locarno, Switzerland – August 10, 2025: In a candid and humorous career Q&A at the Locarno Film Festival, acclaimed actress Emma Thompson shared a bizarre story that had the audience in stitches and disbelief. The two-time Oscar winner revealed that a few days after her divorce from actor Kenneth Branagh was finalized in 1998, she received a phone call from none other than the 47th U.S. President, Donald Trump.

Thompson, who was on the set of the film ‘Primary Colors’ at the time, said she was in her trailer when the phone rang. “It was Donald Trump. He said, ‘Hello, this is Donald Trump?'” she recalled, imitating his unique voice. Thinking it was a joke, she replied, “How can I help you? Maybe he needed directions from someone.”

She quickly realized the call was no prank. As she connected the dots, Thompson came to a startling conclusion about how he had gotten her number. “I realized that on that day, my divorce decree had come through,” she said. “And 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. And he found the number in my trailer. I mean, that’s stalking.”

The actress joked that she “could have changed the course of American history” had she accepted the date.

Beyond the Trump anecdote, Thompson also touched on her most iconic roles. She admitted she is still baffled by the enduring popularity of ‘Love Actually,’ a film she loves but finds “weird” in its structure. She reflected on her character’s heartbreaking scene, attributing its resonance to its portrayal of a woman trying to “hide” her heartbreak. “So really, what moves you is not her crying. It’s her covering it up afterwards and then tidying the bed and going downstairs and being cheerful,” she explained.

However, when asked about her role as Professor Trelawney in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, Thompson was comically dismissive. “It’s not really an important part of my creative endeavors. I’m really sorry,” she said, earning loud laughs. “I came in, did a bit with glasses and a lot of hair, and then left having been quite well paid.”

Thompson, who was honored with the Leopard Club Award for her career achievements, proved once again why she is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and outspoken stars.