Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, informed Metropolitan Police officers that he was "very close" to an alleged rape victim at the centre of a high-profile London trial, according to evidence presented in court.
Video Call Triggers Police Intervention
The 19-year-old son of the former US president contacted British police from the United States after witnessing what he believed to be an assault during a FaceTime video call with the woman, who resides in London. The alleged incident occurred on January 18 last year, merely two days before Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration.
Russian-born Matvei Rumiantsev, aged 22, is currently standing trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. He faces multiple charges, including assault and two counts of rape, against the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Transcript Reveals Emergency Call Details
A transcript of Barron Trump's call to the Metropolitan Police, released by the Crown Prosecution Service, captures his urgent plea for help. "Oh I'm calling from the US, uh I just got a call from a girl, you know, she's getting beat up. This was happening about eight minutes ago," he told the operator.
When pressed for details about how he became aware of the situation, the transcript indicates Barron responded: "I don't think these details matter she's getting beat up but okay fine, also I met her on social media, I don't think that matters." The operator subsequently requested he stop being rude and answer questions clearly, to which Trump later apologised.
Email Correspondence with Investigators
Following the initial call, police investigating the allegations asked Barron Trump if he would provide a witness statement. In an email reply sent on May 2, Barron described what he saw as "very brief indeed, but indeed prevalent."
He elaborated: "I didn't expect her to pick up due to the time difference. The phone was picked up. The individual who answered was a shirtless man with darkish hair. This view lasted maybe one second... then the view flipped to the victim."
Barron explained his immediate actions: "I called you guys – that was the best thing I could do. I wasn’t going to call back and threaten things to him because that would just make the situation worse."
Alleged Victim's Testimony on Trump's Role
In a poignant moment during the trial, the alleged victim herself spoke about Barron Trump's intervention. "He helped save my life," she told the court. "That call was like a sign from God at that moment."
Barron's email to police further emphasised their connection: "I was told by the victim who I am very close with that this individual was giving her difficulty for a long time." He also revealed that he had asked two friends in the US to contact the Metropolitan Police on his behalf.
Defendant's Denials and Defence Claims
Matvei Rumiantsev, of Poplar in east London, denies all charges against him, including assault, actual bodily harm, two counts of rape, intentional strangulation, and perverting the course of justice by allegedly pressuring the woman to withdraw her complaints.
Court proceedings have heard claims that the former MMA fighter became jealous of the alleged victim's friendship with the 6ft 7in son of the US president. Prosecutors allege he flew into a rage after attempting to call her earlier, then answered Barron's call to her phone.
The court heard that Rumiantsev allegedly showed her face during the call before grabbing her hair, pushing her to the floor, and yelling: "You are not worth anything." The woman claims he subsequently strangled her, used derogatory language, and kicked her in the stomach while she was on the floor.
Contested Accounts of the Night
Months after the alleged assault, the woman reported to police that Rumiantsev had raped her twice – once in November of the previous year, and again hours before the 2.23am attack in January.
Defence barrister Sasha Wass KC has challenged the woman's version of events, describing her account as a "complete fabrication." Wass suggested that Rumiantsev had restrained the woman only after she became "angry and violent."
Jurors heard that police replied to Barron Trump's email but did not receive a response to that message or to a follow-up email sent on July 1. The trial continues at Snaresbrook Crown Court as both prosecution and defence present their cases.
