In a dramatic courtroom revelation, details have emerged of Barron Trump's emergency call to British police from the United States after he witnessed what he believed was a violent assault during a video call to London. The 19-year-old son of former US President Donald Trump contacted the City of London Police directly, expressing urgent concern for a woman he described as a close friend.
Transatlantic Emergency Response
Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London heard today that Barron Trump made the transatlantic emergency call on January 18 after video-calling a woman he had met through social media. During their conversation, he reportedly saw what appeared to be Russian national Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, repeatedly punching the woman in a London flat.
The court was presented with a transcript of the 999 call released by the Crown Prosecution Service, revealing Barron's immediate response to the situation. "Oh I'm calling from the US, uh I just got a call from a girl, you know, she's getting beat up," Barron told the police operator, according to the official transcript. He emphasised the urgency, stating: "This was happening about eight minutes ago. I just figured out how to, how to call someone. Uh, uh it's really an emergency."
Police Interaction and Follow-up
The call transcript reveals a tense exchange between Barron Trump and the police operator, who pressed for specific details about his relationship with the alleged victim. When questioned about how he obtained the information, Barron responded: "I don't think these details matter, she's getting hurt."
The operator replied firmly: "Can you stop being rude and actually answer my questions. If you want to help the person, you'll answer my questions clearly and precisely, thank you." Barron eventually revealed he had met the woman through social media and apologised for his earlier frustration, saying: "So, sorry for being rude."
Following the initial emergency call, London police investigating the allegations contacted Barron Trump to request a formal witness statement. In an email response dated May 2, which was read to the court, Barron described the incident as "very brief indeed but indeed prevalent."
Detailed Account of the Incident
Barron's email to police provided additional context about the video call incident. "I didn't expect her to pick up due to the time difference," he wrote. "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."
The email continued with Barron explaining his subsequent actions: "I made two of my friends call the Met Police in the UK, even though they are in the US." He concluded by stating his close relationship with the alleged victim, writing: "As per evidence I do not have any, I was told by the victim who I am very close with, that this individual was giving her difficulty for a long time."
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Matvei Rumiantsev, who appeared in the dock wearing a blue suit and white shirt, faces multiple serious charges including:
- Assault
- Actual bodily harm
- Two counts of rape
- Intentional strangulation
- Perverting the course of justice by pressuring the woman to withdraw her complaints
Rumiantsev has entered not guilty pleas to all charges. The alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been described in court as being friends with Barron Trump.
Investigation Developments
The court heard that police sent follow-up emails to Barron Trump after his initial response but did not receive replies to either the original response request or a subsequent email sent on July 1. This aspect of the investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to gather comprehensive evidence for the trial.
Jurors were presented with the complete emergency call transcript, which reveals Barron's growing concern during the conversation. At one point he told the operator: "She's getting really badly beat up and the call was about 8 minutes ago, I don't know what could have happened by now," highlighting his anxiety about the woman's safety despite the geographical distance between them.
The trial continues at Snaresbrook Crown Court, with Barron Trump's emergency intervention from across the Atlantic forming a significant element of the prosecution's case. The unusual circumstances of a US citizen contacting British emergency services to report a crime witnessed remotely underscore the global nature of modern communication and its implications for law enforcement.
