The release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents has renewed scrutiny of US President Donald Trump’s past associations. A new report by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee details former Miss Switzerland runner-up Beatrice Keul’s allegation that Trump raped her in 1993.
Keul, a Swiss model, alleges the rape took place at New York’s Plaza Hotel when she was 24. Her account also mentions Epstein, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and the connections between the two men.
Who is Beatrice Keul, what has she revealed about the alleged rape, and why has her account resurfaced now? The White House has denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
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What Happened At The Plaza Hotel In 1993?
According to the House Judiciary Committee Democrats’ report, Keul attended the Donald J. Trump American Dream Pageant in November 1993 after being recruited by event promoter Jill Harth.
Keul told committee staff that she met Trump at a luncheon at the Plaza Hotel, which he owned at the time. She alleged that Trump offered to help her obtain a US visa and secure admission to New York University (NYU).
The report says Epstein approached Keul after Trump stepped away from their conversation. He allegedly introduced himself as “Don’s best friend” and offered to arrange her travel and accommodation for a party at Trump's Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.
Later that day, according to Keul’s account, a representative for Trump invited her to meet him in a hotel suite. She said she accepted, believing the meeting could help her professional and educational prospects.
Keul alleged that Trump grabbed her from behind and raped her. The report records her account that the assault tore her dress and left her bleeding and bruised.
She also alleged that Trump repeated his offers to help with her visa and university admission afterwards, while pressing her to remain silent. According to the report, he told her, “The show must go on.”
Keul said she completed the pageant before returning to Switzerland. The allegations have not been established in court.
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Who Is Beatrice Keul? From Beauty Pageants To Finance
Beatrice Keul is a Swiss former model who competed in beauty pageants in the early 1990s. In 1992, she finished as a runner-up in the Miss Switzerland competition and went on to participate in the Miss Europe contest.
Alongside modelling, Keul pursued a career in finance. Her background spans the beauty pageant circuit and the financial services industry, before her name resurfaced in reports concerning events from 1993.
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The Epstein Connection: Why Is Her Account In The Report?
Keul’s allegations form part of a broader investigation by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee into Trump's alleged connections to Epstein and the latter's sexual abuse and trafficking of young women.
The 53-page report, released on 26 October, discusses accounts involving 11 women. Five women, according to the committee Democrats, have directly accused Trump of sexual assault in Epstein's company. Other accounts describe alleged attempts by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell to connect women with Trump.
The report examines the world of modelling agencies, beauty pageants and private parties in which Trump and Epstein moved during the 1990s. It alleges that these networks provided opportunities to target vulnerable women and girls.
Keul's account is significant to the report because she alleges that both men approached her on the same day, making offers related to travel, education and opportunities in the United States.
Democrats have also cited accounts from other women and information from FBI records as grounds for further investigation.
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What Has Trump Said? The White House Responds
The White House has strongly denied Keul's allegations.
A spokesperson described the report as a politically motivated attempt by Democrats to distract voters ahead of the US midterm elections in November 2026. The response also said Trump had removed Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club because he was a “creep” and claimed the president had been fully exonerated in matters related to Epstein.
Trump has previously said that he ended his friendship with Epstein before the financier's criminal conduct became widely known. He has denied wrongdoing connected to Epstein.
Keul's allegations are not the first accusations of sexual misconduct against Trump to receive public attention. In a separate case, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll and defaming her in 2023. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. Trump has challenged the findings, but a federal appeals court upheld that verdict in December 2024.
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The Bigger Question: What Happens After The Allegations?
The latest report raises questions about how allegations involving powerful individuals are investigated, particularly when they concern events that allegedly took place decades ago.
It also puts the spotlight on the role of beauty pageants and modelling networks during the 1990s. Keul's account describes how promises of visas, education and professional opportunities allegedly shaped her interactions with Trump and Epstein.
For investigators, the challenge is to examine the allegations, assess supporting evidence and establish whether any criminal offences occurred.
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have called for an independent special counsel to investigate potential links between Trump and Epstein's trafficking operation. Whether that demand leads to an independent investigation or further legal action remains to be seen.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
Who Is Beatrice Keul?
Beatrice Keul is a Swiss former model and Miss Switzerland runner-up who competed in beauty pageants in the early 1990s.
What Has Beatrice Keul Accused Donald Trump Of?
Keul has accused US President Donald Trump of rape during an alleged encounter at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 1993.
When Did The Alleged Rape Take Place?
Keul alleges the incident occurred in November 1993, when she was 24 years old.
What Is The Jeffrey Epstein Connection In The Beatrice Keul Case?
Keul’s account mentions Jeffrey Epstein, who allegedly approached her on the same day as her encounter with Trump.
When Did Beatrice Keul’s Allegations Against Trump Become Public?
Keul first publicly accused Trump of groping her in October 2024. A report released by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee on 26 October 2026 detailed her allegation of rape.
Where Did The Alleged Incident Take Place?
Keul alleges the incident occurred at the Plaza Hotel in New York, which Trump owned at the time.
What Has The White House Said About Beatrice Keul’s Allegations?
The White House has denied the allegations and described the report as politically motivated.
Has Donald Trump Been Charged Over Beatrice Keul’s Allegations?
As of 28 October 2026, no criminal charge against Trump over Keul’s allegations has been reported.
