Trump denies Swiss former model’s rape allegation

A former Miss Switzerland finalist has accused Donald Trump of raping her in 1993, in an account published by US congressional Democrats, and The White House denies the allegation.

Swiss former model Béatrice Keul has alleged that Donald Trump raped her at New York’s Plaza Hotel in November 1993, according to a report released by Democrats (U.S. House Judiciary Committee Democrats) on the US House Judiciary Committee on October 26.

Trump has not been charged with a crime in connection with Keul’s allegations. Responding to the report, White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told People: “None of these allegations are true.” She also described the report as a politically motivated attempt to distract voters ahead of the US midterm elections.

What the report says

According to the Democratic staff report, Keul told committee staff she met Trump while attending his American Dream Pageant in 1993.

She alleged that he offered assistance with a US visa and admission to New York University before a representative invited her to meet him in a hotel suite. Keul told staff that Trump raped her during that meeting.

The report’s footnote says its account of her experience relies solely on extensive discussions between Keul and committee staff over several weeks. Those interviews do not establish that the alleged assault occurred.

Earlier public allegations

Keul previously spoke publicly about an alleged sexual assault in 2024. Swiss public broadcaster Swissinfo reported at the time that she described unwanted kissing and touching, and said she had managed to defend herself.

Swissinfo identified her as a contestant who finished third in the Miss Switzerland competition, rather than a titleholder.

The new report acknowledges her earlier account, saying she had previously described talking Trump down during an attempted rape. It now records an allegation of rape. The report was produced by Democratic committee staff and is not a court judgment.