Donald Trump’s ‘obsession’ with Debra Messing revealed in new book

A new book about Donald Trump has revealed a surprising celebrity crush — and she might not seem like his type.

In Apprentice in Wonderland, the new book about the former president by Variety’s Ramin Setoodeh, Trump reflects extensively on his encounters with Debra Messing, with whom the author says the ex-Apprentice host has an “obsession.” Setoodeh says that Trump brought Messing up multiple times during their conversations, and at one point admitted to being attracted to her.

“This Debra Messing, who I always thought was quite attractive — not that it matters, of course… Debra Messing was so thankful,” he says. “And then I watch her today, and it’s like she’s a raving mess.”

Messing has been one of Trump’s most outspoken celebrity critics since he first ran for office in the mid-2010s. The actress repeatedly uses social media to call out Trump’s policies, which seems to have a profound effect on him.

Trump says he first met Messing star at the NBC upfronts in May 2004 or 2005. “Debra Messing came up to me,” the ex-president recalls. “She had a show at a similar time,” referring to Will & Grace.

“She came up to me with her beautiful red hair,” Trump continues. “And she said, ‘Sir — I love you! Thank God for you! You’re saving the network, and you’re saving my show.’ Because in that world, which I know a lot about now, when you have a hit, a lead-in, it’s a massive difference.”

The author notes that Will & Grace actually aired before The Apprentice on Thursday nights, so the sitcom would theoretically help the reality competition’s viewership, not the other way around. “A lead-in — or a lead out,” Trump corrects himself.

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Trump repeats his recollection of Messing’s gratitude.

“She was so thankful,” he says. “She said, ‘I can’t thank you enough.’ Do you believe this? I’ve been watching her. And I’m saying, ‘She’d do anything for me.’” He sees Messing’s repeated condemnations of his political career as a surprising betrayal. “She was so effusive,” he says. “And when I see the hatred coming out of her mouth today, it’s incredible.”

The former president also claims that Messing won’t confirm his anecdote about her.

“She probably wouldn’t even admit it,” Trump says. “She came up to me in front of a group of people. I’ve never seen it. She was begging for acceptance!… ‘Thank you so much for what you’ve done for me, my show, and for NBC. It will never be forgotten.’”

In Trump’s eyes, Messing broke her promise. “Well,” he says, “it was forgotten. She was just a nasty person. Her and many others. So many people have come up to me over the years and said, ‘Thank you!’ Once I ran for office, that stopped.” 

Representatives for Messing did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly‘s request for comment.