Trump-Epstein links under scrutiny as Democrats cite former model’s allegations

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has been accused of rape by former Miss Switzerland Beatrice Keul, according to a report prepared by Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee. Keul has alleged that Trump sexually assaulted her in November 1993. The White House has rejected the allegations, describing the report as a politically motivated attempt to divert public attention from the president’s achievements.

The 53-page report examines Trump’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in federal custody in 2019. It also revisits allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump as part of the Democrats’ investigation into his links with Epstein.

According to the report, Keul described her alleged experience during a series of interviews with Democratic lawmakers. She reportedly said she first met Trump when she was 24, at a beauty pageant held at New York’s Plaza Hotel, which was then owned by the real estate businessman.

Keul alleged that Trump subsequently offered to help arrange her visa and secure admission to New York University. She also claimed that Epstein approached her after she had spent time with him and invited her to a party at Mar-a-Lago, introducing himself as a close friend of Trump.

The report further states that a representative of Trump later invited Keul to meet him on an upper floor of the Plaza Hotel. According to her account, Trump forcibly raped her, tore her dress and left her with injuries and bleeding. She described the alleged assault as brutal.

Keul also alleged that, following the incident, Trump reiterated his promises to help with her visa and university admission and told her that “the show must go on”, which she interpreted as an instruction to remain silent.

The White House has firmly denied the allegations. A spokesperson described the report as a desperate attempt by Democrats to distract Americans from what the administration calls Trump’s historic achievements.