At a Glance
- Barron Trump urged to be treated as hearsay in an assault case.
- Court hearing on Jan. 21, 2025, followed by a jury direction on Jan. 26.
- The case involves a woman allegedly attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Russian citizen Matvei Rumiantsev.
Why it matters: The judge’s warning highlights how unverified eyewitness accounts can influence jury verdicts, especially when the witness has personal ties to the victim.
Barron Trump, 19, came under scrutiny when he called the City of London Police on Jan. 18, 2025, to report a woman “getting beat up” during a FaceTime call. The incident occurred days before his father’s second inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, adding a layer of public interest to the case.
The call was made approximately eight minutes after the alleged assault, according to a transcript obtained by News Of Los Angeles. Barron Trump said, “It’s really an emergency, please,” on the call.
The Incident and Barron’s Call
Barron had met the woman on social media and was on a FaceTime video when she appeared to be attacked by her ex-boyfriend. He immediately notified the police, prompting a rapid response.
Key facts of the call:
- Date: Jan. 18, 2025
- Time: Roughly eight minutes after the alleged assault
- Victim’s description: Woman allegedly “getting beat up”
- Witness: Barron Trump, 19, American first son
The police responded to the call, but the woman’s status and the alleged assailant’s identity were not confirmed until later court proceedings.
Court Proceedings and Cross-Examination
On Jan. 23, 2025, the prosecution presented the case against Matvei Rumiantsev, a Russian citizen. During cross-examination, Rumiantsev was asked about his feelings toward the woman’s other contacts. He replied, “What I was really unhappy about was that she was frankly leading Barron on,” according to Metro. He added, “I am being portrayed as a jealous person who can lose his temper due to jealousy. I want to just make clear that her actions towards Barron were wrong, and it was not fair. I was jealous to some extent.”
Rumiantsev denied the charges of rape, assault, actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, and perverting the course of justice related to encounters between November 2024 and January 2025.
Jury Direction from Justice Bennathan
Justice Joel Bennathan delivered a jury direction on Monday, Jan. 26, 2025. He warned that Barron Trump‘s account was hearsay because he was not under oath and had not been cross-examined. Bennathan explained:
“If he had done so, no doubt he could have been asked about things such as whether he ever got a good view of what happened, whether he actually saw the woman being assaulted, or jumped to this conclusion on the basis of her screams,” he said.
He added, “He might also have been asked whether his perception was biased because he was a close friend with the woman.”
The judge emphasized that the law permits hearsay evidence, but jurors should exercise caution. He concluded, “Therefore, you can rely on it, but you should be cautious in doing so, consider if it could be mistaken or biased by his friendship with the woman, and not convict the defendant mainly in reliance on it.”
Legal Context and Charges
Matvei Rumiantsev faces multiple serious allegations. He denies the charges, claiming innocence. The prosecution’s case relies heavily on the testimony of the victim and the witness, Barron Trump. The court’s focus on the reliability of the witness underscores the importance of cross-examination in establishing credibility.
Broader Implications
The judge’s direction illustrates the delicate balance jurors must maintain between accepting evidence and scrutinizing potential biases. In high-profile cases involving public figures, the stakes for accurate verdicts are even higher. The incident also demonstrates how personal relationships can complicate the assessment of eyewitness testimony.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 18, 2025 | Barron Trump calls police reporting assault |
| Jan. 21, 2025 | Hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court |
| Jan. 23, 2025 | Rumiantsev cross-examined |
| Jan. 26, 2025 | Jury direction by Justice Bennathan |
| Jan. 20, 2025 | Donald Trump’s second inauguration |
Key Takeaways
- Barron Trump‘s testimony is considered hearsay and must be treated with caution.
- The judge’s direction emphasizes the need for cross-examination to assess witness bias.
- Rumiantsev denies all charges, making the case largely dependent on witness credibility.
- The timing of the incident, just before a presidential inauguration, added public scrutiny.
The case remains ongoing, with the jury still deliberating. The outcome will be closely watched, given the intersection of legal procedure and public interest.
