A man from Russia has been convicted of assault causing bodily harm after the youngest son of Donald Trump contacted the UK police to report witnessing a woman being attacked during a video call.
Barron Trump, aged 19, informed authorities that he witnessed his friend being assaulted by Matvei Rumiantsev in London on January 18 of the previous year, as disclosed during a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The son of the US president urgently reported the incident to a City of London Police operator, expressing concern for the victim’s safety. Prosecutors alleged that Rumiantsev acted out of jealousy towards the victim’s relationship with Mr. Trump.
During the trial, Prosecutor Serena Gates highlighted the distressed and immediate nature of Mr. Trump’s call to the police.
Rumiantsev, a resident of Canary Wharf in east London, was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.
While he was acquitted of one count each of rape and intentional strangulation related to the incident reported by Barron, and another set of charges involving rape and assault from November 2024, Rumiantsev’s conviction stands.
In a follow-up email response to investigating officers in May, Mr. Trump described the brief but impactful nature of the video call incident, emphasizing his shock at witnessing the attack unfold.
The 999 call revealed moments of tension as Mr. Trump was instructed to provide more details about the victim. Despite initial resistance, he eventually disclosed meeting the victim on social media.
Prosecutor Gates suggested that Rumiantsev’s actions were driven by jealousy towards the victim’s connection to Mr. Trump, possibly influenced by the latter’s public persona.