JK Rowling felt 'bleak' about Trump ahead of US visit

JK Rowling said she was in a 'bleak mood' travelling to America but refused to speak about Donald Trump as she promoted Harry Potter prequel, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

J. K. Rowling and Eddie Redmayne attend the 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' World Premiere in New York. Picture: AFP PHOTO /ANGELA WEISSANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images

The Edinburgh-based author, who has been a vocal critic of the president-elect, said she wanted to “focus on some good things” at a press conference for the film in New York.

But she revealed the story of Fantastic Beasts was partly inspired by “the rise of populism” around the world.

She said: “If you have read the Potter books, you’ll know this period of history threatened to become very dystopian. You were looking at the rise of a very dark force.

“I conceived of this story a few years ago. It was partly informed by what I see as a rise of populism around the world.”

She added: “Last night I was in a kind of a bleak mood boarding the plane and I thought I need to work.

“I got out the second screen play and worked on that and it made me feel a whole lot better.”

‘Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them’ is scheduled for worldwide release on the 18th of November.