Donald Trump harbored a crush on Debra Messing when they both worked for NBC, and the Will & Grace star remains an obsession for the former president, according to a new book.

In the just-released Apprentice in Wonderland , about Trumps days hosting The Apprentice, author Ramin Setoodeh writes that Trump mentioned Messing multiple times during their interviews and eventually dropped a bombshell.

He confirms something that hed only dropped hints about in our last meeting. During the early years of The Apprentice, Trump even had a crush on Will & Graces leading lady, wrote Setoodeh, the co-editor-in-chief of Variety, according to excerpts reported by The Daily Beast and Entertainment Weekly . Maybe thats why he cant quite shake the bitterness that now exists between them.

Messing has evolved into one of Trumps fiercest critics , which vexes him to no end.

A former president who cant win over a star almost sounds like the premise of a corny romantic comedy, but for Trump, Messings rejection is still a sharp dagger to his heart, Setoodeh wrote.

This Debra Messing, who I always thought was quite attractive not that it matters, of course, Trump told Setoodeh in the book. Debra Messing was so thankful. And then I watch her today, and its like shes a raving mess.

Trump claimed that at one point in the aughts, Messing approached him at a network upfront.

She came up to me with her beautiful red hair, Trump said. And she said, Sir I love you! Thank God for you! Youre saving the network, and youre saving my show. Because in that world, which I know a lot about now, when you have a hit, a lead-in, its a massive difference.

Setoodeh reminded Trump that Will & Grace actually aired before The Apprentice, so it was the sitcom that perhaps was boosting viewership for his reality show. A lead-in or a lead-out, Trump said in an attempt to recover.

Still, Trump continued to build a narrative of Messings supposed gratitude and betrayal.

She was so thankful, Trump told Setoodeh. She said, I cant thank you enough. Do you believe this? Ive been watching her. And Im saying, Shed do anything for me.

She was so effusive, he continued. And when I see the hatred coming out of her mouth today, its incredible.

The presumptive 2024 Republican nominee said Messing wont confirm the anecdote, but he insisted that she was begging for acceptance. He quoted Messing as saying: Thank you so much for what youve done for me, my show, and for NBC. It will never be forgotten.