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Emma Thompson's Trump Invitation: A Historic 'What If?'

8/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Emma Thompson humorously recounted her decision to turn down a dinner invitation from Donald Trump in 1998, suggesting it might have altered the course of American history. Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival, she reflected on the timing during her divorce from Kenneth Branagh, describing Trump's persistent invitation as akin to "stalking." Remarkably, she has yet to meet him face-to-face.

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Story summary

Emma Thompson humorously recounted her decision to turn down a dinner invitation from Donald Trump in 1998, suggesting it might have altered the course of American history. Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival, she reflected on the timing during her divorce from Kenneth Branagh, describing Trump's persistent invitation as akin to "stalking." Remarkably, she has yet to meet him face-to-face.