A judge has instructed jurors to approach the testimony of Donald Trump’s youngest son with skepticism during a trial concerning an alleged assault on his friend.
Barron Trump, 19, reached out to UK authorities from the United States after reportedly witnessing his friend being assaulted during a video call last year.
Judge’s Warning on Testimony
On Monday, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, the judge cautioned that Trump’s account might be „mistaken or biased“ due to his friendship with the alleged victim. He advised jurors against using this testimony as the primary basis for a conviction.
Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, faces multiple charges, including assault, actual bodily harm, two counts of rape, intentional strangulation, and attempting to obstruct justice by pressuring the woman to retract her allegations. Rumiantsev has denied all charges.
Legal Directions and Testimony Context
During the proceedings, Mr. Justice Bennathan KC highlighted that Trump had not provided his testimony under oath nor faced cross-examination. The judge noted that had Trump testified, he could have been questioned about the clarity of his observations and whether his conclusions were influenced by his close relationship with the complainant.
He emphasized that while hearsay evidence could be considered, jurors should exercise caution since it was not given under oath and should not be the sole basis for a conviction.
Details of the Incident
Trump contacted the police on January 18 of last year, shortly after a video call with the alleged victim. In a transcript of the call, he stated, „I’m calling from the US, uh I just got a call from a girl, you know, she’s getting beat up.“ In a subsequent email to the police in May, Trump described what he observed as „very brief indeed but indeed prevalent,“ adding that he had no concrete evidence.
The court learned that police did not receive responses to follow-up emails regarding the incident.
Defense’s Position
In defense of Rumiantsev, Sasha Wass KC characterized Trump as a „wholly unreliable witness“ who exhibited „irrational jealousy“ towards her client. She argued that the woman leveraged her friendship with Trump, whom she met online, to incite jealousy in what she described as a „drama-filled relationship.“
Prosecutor Serena Gates urged the court to consider Trump’s „urgent“ and „worried“ demeanor during the call to the police.
Allegations Against Rumiantsev
Prosecutors allege that Rumiantsev strangled the woman on the evening of January 17, 2025, after they had been drinking together. Following the incident, the woman contacted the police, leading to Rumiantsev’s arrest on January 18.
Rumiantsev, a Russian national residing in east London at the time, claimed that their interaction was consensual and that he restrained her arms in self-defense to prevent her from hitting him. He expressed uncertainty about why he answered Trump’s call, suggesting he hoped the woman would not act inappropriately in front of someone else.
Earlier in the trial, Rumiantsev admitted feeling „upset“ about the woman communicating with Trump but insisted he was not controlling, stating he wanted her to understand his feelings regarding her texting someone else.
The trial is ongoing.
Bildquelle: ai-generated
