Allegations by former Miss Switzerland Béatrice Quelle against U.S. President Donald Trump are causing a political storm in Washington. A new 53-page report released by Democrats on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee details her claim that Trump raped her in November 1993. The document also revisits earlier allegations against Trump and examines his ties to the controversial businessman Jeffrey Epstein.
According to the report, Quelle, then 24, met Trump at a beauty contest held at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Trump allegedly promised to help her obtain a U.S. visa and gain admission to New York University. The report states that a Trump representative later summoned her to a room on an upper floor of the hotel. After she spent time with Epstein there, Trump allegedly raped her.
Democrats said Quelle described in interviews that her clothes were torn and that she suffered bleeding and severe injuries. The report adds that she was threatened not to tell anyone and made to swear an oath of silence, with Trump again promising her a visa and a university place.
The White House has categorically denied the allegations, calling them a political conspiracy by Democrats to damage Trump’s popularity. The claims have not been proven, and the report comes from one party’s members on the committee. Democrats are now pressing for an immediate independent investigation.