Fresh allegations from a former beauty queen are once again drawing attention to Donald Trump’s long-documented association with Jeffrey Epstein and the beauty pageants Trump owned or branded during the 1990s.
According to a new interview highlighted by Queerty and first reported through PunchUp, former Miss Switzerland runner-up Beatrice Keul alleges that contestants at a 1993 Trump pageant were targeted by Jeffrey Epstein and others connected to the modeling industry for recruitment into exploitative social circles.
What the Former Contestant Alleges
Keul says she competed in the 1993 Donald J. Trump American Dream Pageant.
She alleges that after an encounter in which Trump sexually assaulted her—a claim Trump has denied—she was encouraged to attend private gatherings where Epstein allegedly sought to recruit young women into his network. She further claims Trump warned her that “bad things can happen” if she spoke publicly.
These are allegations made by Keul. Trump has denied allegations of sexual misconduct against him, and he has not been charged with crimes related to these claims.
Claims About Epstein’s Recruitment
In her interview, Keul describes beauty pageants as attractive places for predators seeking young women hoping to enter modeling or entertainment.
She alleges contestants were invited to:
- private parties
- exclusive gatherings
- meetings with wealthy businessmen
- modeling opportunities
According to her account, Epstein played a central role in identifying and approaching vulnerable contestants.
A Relationship That Has Long Drawn Scrutiny
Trump and Epstein maintained a well-documented social relationship during the 1980s and 1990s before later distancing themselves.
Public records, photographs, and media reporting have documented their friendship, though Trump has repeatedly said they had a falling out years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. Trump has also denied knowing about Epstein’s criminal conduct at the time.
Previous Allegations Involving Beauty Pageants
The new interview also revives earlier criticism surrounding Trump’s ownership of beauty pageants.
Over the years, multiple former contestants have publicly alleged that Trump entered dressing rooms while contestants were changing. Trump has denied wrongdoing. Those allegations have been reported previously but are separate from Keul’s new claims involving Epstein’s alleged recruitment activities.
No Evidence Trump Directed Epstein’s Activities
While Keul alleges Epstein recruited women at pageants connected to Trump, there is currently no public evidence establishing that Trump knowingly participated in or directed Epstein’s alleged recruitment activities through those pageants.
The new reporting focuses primarily on Keul’s account of what she says she witnessed and experienced.
Why the Story Is Receiving Attention
The allegations arrive amid continuing public interest in records related to Jeffrey Epstein and renewed scrutiny of prominent individuals who socialized with him.
Because Trump owned several major beauty pageants during the period in question, any new claims involving those events attract significant media attention.
Trump Continues to Deny Misconduct
Trump has consistently denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by numerous women over the years, describing them as false and politically motivated.
His representatives have similarly rejected renewed claims connected to Epstein and the pageants.
The Broader Conversation Continues
The interview has renewed discussion about:
- the modeling industry’s treatment of young women
- power imbalances in beauty pageants
- Epstein’s recruitment methods
- accountability for influential public figures
Whether additional evidence emerges remains to be seen, but the allegations have once again placed Trump’s pageant history under public scrutiny.