Ninni Laaksonen and Donald J. Trump
This profile summarises publicly-reported allegations made by Ninni Laaksonen concerning Donald J. Trump. It draws on credible news coverage and publicly available statements. These are allegations, not criminal findings; where responses or corroboration exist, they are noted.
Last updated: 20 November 2025
Summary
Ninni Laaksonen, a Finnish model and former Miss Finland 2006, alleged in 2016 that Donald J. Trump groped her during a photo-op outside a television studio in New York City in 2006. She said the incident occurred when she and other Miss Universe / Miss Finland contestants were gathered for photographs ahead of an appearance with a late-night talk show. Laaksonen has said Trump “squeezed my butt” before the shots, leaving her shocked and uncomfortable. Trump has denied all such allegations of inappropriate touching. No criminal or civil legal action has been filed in relation to her claim, and the allegation has not been adjudicated in court.
Key Facts
• Alleged incident: 2006, outside CBS Studios/New York during a media event for Miss Universe associated contestants.
• Public disclosure: October 2016, via interview with Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat and subsequent international media coverage.
• Alleged behaviour: Laaksonen claims that Trump grabbed her buttocks during a photo-op, while she was part of the Miss Finland/Miss Universe group.
• Trump’s response: His campaign denied the allegation, stating all claims of misconduct were false and politically motivated.
• Legal action: None known as of 20 November 2025.
Explanation:
These key facts provide a succinct overview of the who, what, when, how and legal status of the allegation. They outline that the behaviour alleged is unwanted sexual contact—specifically non-consensual touching—and that no formal legal process has followed. The date, setting and public disclosure timeframe are central to evaluating the claim in context.
Timeline
2006 – Ninni Laaksonen, Miss Finland 2006, participated in Miss Universe-associated events. She alleges that prior to a television appearance (reportedly on The Late Show with David Letterman) at a studio in New York, she and a group of contestants posed for photographs. Laaksonen says Trump stood next to her and “squeezed my butt. He really grabbed my butt. I don’t think anybody saw it but I flinched and thought: ‘What is happening?’” (Guardian)
27 October 2016 – The Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat publishes her allegation. International media outlets such as Reuters and The Guardian pick up the story, quoting her statement that Trump grabbed her behind before the photo-op.
2017-2025 – The allegation continues to be listed in media summaries of allegations against Trump but no legal filing is reported in relation to Laaksonen’s claim.
Media Coverage
Laaksonen’s allegation was first reported in the Finnish press and then widely translated and distributed internationally. The Guardian published a detailed article on 27 October 2016 quoting Laaksonen’s account of the alleged groping. Reuters ran an article on 28 October 2016 detailing her claim with a byline from Finland. Later media compilations—such as PBS NewsHour’s timeline of allegations—include her name as among those who have accused Trump of unwanted touching or groping.
Across coverage, Laaksonen’s story is often cited as one of the number of pageant- or model-associated women who accused Trump of inappropriate behaviour during his ownership of the Miss Universe/Miss USA franchises. Some articles focus on the power dynamics faced by young contestants and models in the pageant environment and how those dynamics may inhibit immediate challenge or complaint. It is also noted in the wider media that while many of these allegations were publicly reported, few proceeded to legal action.
Responses and Statements
Donald J. Trump / Campaign
Trump’s campaign, in the wake of Laaksonen’s allegation, stated that the claims made against him were false or politically motivated. In media commentary, Trump has said he does not recall Laaksonen and strongly denies engaging in the behaviour she describes.
Ninni Laaksonen
Laaksonen has stood by her account, saying in interviews that she spoke publicly because she believed other women had suffered similar experiences and that it was important to voice her own. She described the incident as unexpected and distressing, and has criticised the environment in which pageant and modelling-industry entrants have to interact with powerful figures.
Context and Considerations
It is essential to understand Laaksonen’s allegation in the broader context of allegations against Trump tied to beauty pageants, modelling events and backstage/photograph settings where contestants are relatively young, in less formal environments, and exposed to influential figures. The 2006 Miss Universe context is significant because it was the year when Trump still owned the pageant franchise. The nature of the alleged incident—a photo-shoot outside a TV studio—fits into the pattern of claims involving powerful individuals and vulnerable parties.
However, limitations apply: Laaksonen’s allegation has not been tested in court, and no public lawsuit or criminal complaint appears to have been filed. The passage of time and the lack of contemporaneous documentation mean the claim relies primarily on her recollection. In media coverage, some emphasis is placed on the fact that many similar allegations by contestants or models did not proceed to litigation, often due to non-disclosure agreements, reputational concerns or statutes of limitation.
It is also worth noting that while her story is cited in aggregated timelines of allegations against Trump, it tends to receive less detail than cases that advanced in court. That means while it contributes to the public record of how contestants describe their experiences, it sits among many unadjudicated claims and must be treated with the same caution and clarity of status.
Conclusion
Ninni Laaksonen alleges that Donald J. Trump groped her by grabbing her buttocks during a photo-op in 2006, when she was a contestant associated with the Miss Universe pageant. She made the allegation public in October 2016. Trump denies the claim and no legal action has been filed in relation to it as of 20 November 2025. While the allegation is one of many that draw attention to dynamics of power, consent and the pageant industry under Trump’s ownership, it remains untested in a court of law and should be understood as part of the broader landscape of publicly-reported allegations rather than a proven finding.
Sources
The Guardian – “Former Miss Finland is 12th woman to accuse Donald Trump of sexual assault”
Fortune – “Former Miss Finland says Donald Trump groped her, too”
PBS NewsHour – “All the assault allegations against Donald Trump, recapped”