British comedian Ruby Wax has disclosed disturbing details about a decades-old encounter with Donald Trump that ended with her being forcibly removed from his private aircraft.
The 72-year-old entertainer was conducting an interview for her show “Ruby Wax Meets” when the situation turned hostile over 20 years ago.
Luxurious Setting Turns Sour at 33,000 Feet
The interview took place aboard Trump’s opulent private plane, which featured extravagant amenities including a gold sink and an expansive double bed.
What began as a celebrity interview quickly deteriorated when Wax laughed at Trump’s stated presidential ambitions. The comedian initially thought Trump was joking about wanting to become President of the United States.
“Let’s Land the Plane” – Trump’s Immediate Retaliation
Speaking on the Disruptors Podcast, Wax recalled the precise moment tensions escalated: “He said at one point, ‘You’re angry but with a smile’. And I thought that was so accurate.”
“And then he called me obnoxious and he said, ‘Let’s land the plane.’ We were at 33,000 ft and I had laughed at him when he said he wants you to be president of the United States.”
The comedian admitted she misjudged the situation entirely. “I thought, ‘What a kidder. This guy’s got a sense of humor.’ And then I saw it wasn’t a joke. And he threw me off the plane.”
Death Threat Delivered to Tennis Legend
The incident’s aftermath proved even more shocking when Trump allegedly made a death threat in front of tennis champion John McEnroe.
Wax revealed: “He said to John McEnroe, who was my next interview after him, ‘If I ever see Ruby Wax again, I’m going to kill her’.”
According to Wax’s previous ABC interview, Trump instructed the pilot to make an emergency landing in Arkansas specifically to remove her from the aircraft.
Comedian’s Strategy: Fight Fire with Fire
Despite the hostile encounter, Wax believes she eventually gained Trump’s respect through an off-camera moment that wasn’t filmed.
She described a car journey where Trump attempted to shock her with explicit comments about women. Rather than showing offense, Wax chose to match his behavior.
“We were in a car together, but you don’t see that. And he told me what he likes to do with women, thinking that he would shock me. But I shocked him back, so then he started to like me. Because I became as animal as he did.”
Refusing to Back Down
Wax elaborated on her tactical response during the Disruptors Podcast: “I wasn’t going to go, ‘Oh kind sir please stop’. That’s just too sensitive.”
“I didn’t want to let him win and once he knew I could be as crass as he was then he liked me because I was one of the boys.”
Her strategy involved “telling him what I like to do with women” to demonstrate she wouldn’t be intimidated by his attempts at shock tactics.
Career’s Most Challenging Interview
The comedian has described her encounter with Trump as both the “worst interview” she ever conducted and one of the most “excruciating moments” of her career.
Wax characterized Trump as “vicious” and “sharp” with a “gutter rat instinct,” believing he “hated” her from their first interaction.
Looking back, she admits she would have “handled it really differently” if given another opportunity to conduct the interview.
Extensive Interview Portfolio Puts Trump Encounter in Perspective
Wax’s assessment carries significant weight given her extensive experience interviewing high-profile celebrities for her “Ruby Wax Meets” series.
Her interview subjects have included diverse personalities such as Pamela Anderson, Bill Cosby, and Tom Hanks, making her judgment about Trump’s behavior particularly notable within the context of her broader television career.
