Comedian Ruby Wax recently recounted an amusing story from the 1990s involving then-billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump, a moment she now finds hilarious in hindsight. Wax, known for her sharp wit and as a host for several BBC programs, was once in close proximity to Trump during a flight and found herself kicked off his private plane after laughing at him when he shared his aspiration to become the next President of the United States.

Wax, who was conducting an interview with Trump at the time, was in her usual pre-interview mode: enjoying a meal with the subject and allowing for informal conversation. However, things took a turn when Trump casually mentioned his ambition to run for president—something that was met with disbelief and laughter from Wax. This seemingly harmless reaction led to a dramatic moment that ended with her being escorted off the plane.

“I thought he was joking,” Wax explained during her appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain with hosts Kate Garraway and Charlotte Hawkins. “When he said, ‘I want to be the next president of the United States,’ I laughed. I thought, ‘What a sense of humor this guy has.’ And then he said, ‘That’s it, I want her off the flight.’” Wax, now 70 years old, said that the entire crew was forced to land the plane after only reaching 33,000 feet, and they made an emergency return to the airport.

The situation was made even more bizarre when she recalled being stranded in Arkansas with her crew, having no other option but to find Trump again in Nebraska, where he was judging a Miss Nebraska contest.

Trump’s Retort: A Brash Statement Reflecting His Confidence

In the decades since this incident, Trump has ascended from a real estate mogul to the 45th President of the United States, with his once-unthinkable political ambitions becoming a reality. Ruby Wax’s story offers a rare glimpse into Trump’s demeanor before his political career took off—showing that even in the early ’90s, Trump was a man accustomed to having things go his way.

But as a man who prides himself on confidence and ambition, Trump was hardly discouraged by Wax’s response. The incident itself is just one example of the assertiveness that would later define his presidential campaign. His path to the presidency, characterized by his unorthodox approach and often controversial remarks, reflects the self-assurance that Wax experienced firsthand during their interaction.

Trump’s Rising Approval Amidst Policy Controversies

While the story of Wax’s humorous encounter with Trump comes from a time when his political aspirations were far from realized, the current political landscape shows a much different Trump, one who is at the forefront of American politics. Despite several controversies and negative reactions, particularly over his aggressive trade policies, Trump’s approval rating has seen a notable rise, now nearing near-record levels.

According to a recent poll conducted by J.L. Partners in collaboration with The Daily Mail, Trump’s approval rating has surged to 53%, a 4-point improvement from the previous week. The poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters from March 31 to April 3, shows that Trump’s popularity is increasing even amid backlash over his ambitious trade policies, which have resulted in sweeping tariffs on various trading partners.

Trump’s Approval Among Younger Voters and Democrats

One of the most surprising elements of the poll is the increase in Trump’s favorability among younger voters. The poll revealed that Trump’s approval rating among voters aged 18 to 29 has jumped by an impressive 13 points since early March. This demographic shift is particularly noteworthy given the strong support for Joe Biden among younger voters during the 2020 presidential election. It indicates that Trump’s policies, particularly his focus on jobs and economic growth, are beginning to resonate with a demographic that had previously been more sympathetic to his political opponent.

Additionally, Trump’s approval rating has increased by 6 percentage points among registered Democrats and independents, showing that his economic message is beginning to gain traction beyond his core Republican base. Perhaps most strikingly, Trump’s favorability among Black voters has risen by 17 points since the previous week’s survey, demonstrating his broadening appeal across various voter groups.