In a candid and revealing interview, legendary actress and longtime activist Jane Fonda has shared a surprising personal habit: she sometimes lies awake at night imagining conversations with former President Donald Trump. This intimate disclosure came during her appearance on the latest episode of Kara Swisher's widely followed podcast, "On With Kara Swisher."
Drawing Parallels Between Trump and Ted Turner
Fonda elaborated that her decade-long marriage to media mogul and CNN founder Ted Turner provides her with unique insight into Trump's psyche. She noted that Trump "used to really like and admire" Turner, suggesting a foundation for understanding. "I feel because I spent a decade with Ted Turner, I understand Trump a little bit because they have certain things in common," Fonda explained. She pointed to shared experiences of "early trauma at the hands of the father" as a key similarity between the two powerful figures.
In these imagined dialogues, Fonda said she would emphasize this connection, telling Trump, "You have things in common." Her approach is not confrontational but rather empathetic; she expressed a desire to "try to touch his heart" through these mental exchanges.
Past Climate Advocacy Efforts with a Personal Twist
The conversation also delved into Fonda's earlier, more tangible efforts to engage Trump on environmental issues. She recounted a bold plan devised during his presidency to convince him to address the climate crisis. Inspired by tactics that she believed worked with Turner, Fonda envisioned assembling "a bunch of really brilliant, sexy women" to kneel at Trump's feet and appeal to his sense of legacy.
"I thought this would work with Ted, and tell him he could be a global hero if he saved the planet," she said. Fellow activist and "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson was reportedly "willing to go with me" on this unconventional mission. However, despite the planning, the effort ultimately fell through without coming to fruition.
A Perspective on Wellness and Public Figures
Fonda clarified that her views on Trump are not rooted in hatred. Instead, she characterizes him—along with other high-profile individuals like billionaire Elon Musk, whom she described as an on-and-off Trump ally—as simply "not well." She elaborated, "It's the not-wellness that we see acted out," suggesting that their public behaviors stem from deeper personal issues rather than malice alone.
This reflection adds a nuanced layer to Fonda's activism, blending personal history with political commentary. Her insights offer a rare glimpse into the interpersonal dynamics that can influence public advocacy and the complex ways individuals process political figures through personal experience.
