Tasha Dixon and Donald J. Trump
Tasha Dixon and Donald J. Trump
This profile summarises publicly reported allegations made by Tasha Dixon concerning Donald J. Trump. It draws on credible news reporting and public interviews. Allegations are not criminal findings, and where responses or denials exist, they are included.
Last updated: 20 November 2025
Summary
Tasha Dixon, Miss Arizona USA 2001, alleges that Donald J. Trump entered the dressing-room area of Miss USA contestants during the 2001 pageant while several contestants were undressed or partially dressed. Dixon says this occurred during a rehearsal at the event in Gary, Indiana, and that contestants were not warned beforehand. At the time, Trump owned the Miss USA pageant through the Miss Universe Organization and had broad access to pageant areas.
The allegation became public in October 2016, when Dixon gave a televised interview describing the incident. She recalled that some contestants were topless or naked when Trump “came strolling right in,” leaving them unable to cover themselves. She also stated that pageant staff encouraged contestants to greet him despite their state of undress, which she described as uncomfortable and inappropriate. Trump did not respond directly to Dixon’s allegation but, through representatives, denied wrongdoing. No criminal complaint or civil lawsuit has been filed based on this claim.
Key Facts
Key points at a glance:
Alleged incident occurred during a rehearsal at the 2001 Miss USA pageant.
Dixon alleges Trump entered the dressing-room area unannounced while contestants were changing.
She says contestants were told to engage with Trump despite being partially or fully undressed.
Dixon first spoke publicly about the incident in October 2016.
Trump’s representatives denied the allegation, calling it meritless.
No known legal action has been taken as of 20 November 2025.
Explanation:
These key facts outline the core elements of Dixon’s account and the context in which the allegation surfaced. They also highlight the absence of a formal legal process, meaning the claim remains untested in court. The account should therefore be understood as part of the public record of allegations rather than an adjudicated finding.
Timeline
2001 – Miss USA Pageant
Dixon competes as Miss Arizona USA at the Miss USA pageant held in Gary, Indiana. She alleges the incident occurred during a dress rehearsal. According to her account, contestants were preparing for a stage segment requiring swimwear when Trump entered the changing area. She recalls that some women were topless or naked and that his entry was sudden and unannounced.
Dixon has stated that pageant staff encouraged contestants to present themselves positively to Trump, even though many were in compromising states of undress. She later described the moment as one that left contestants feeling exposed and pressured, with no option to protest due to Trump’s ownership of the pageant.
October 2016 – Public Disclosure
Dixon speaks publicly about the incident during a televised interview. This occurs days after the release of a widely circulated 2005 recording of Trump making remarks about his behaviour around women. Following the interview, several major news outlets report on her allegation, quoting her description of Trump’s unexpected presence in the dressing-room and the power imbalance contestants felt.
2017–2025 – Continued Reporting
Dixon’s allegations remain part of broader reporting on Trump’s conduct at beauty pageants. They are referenced alongside other claims from contestants in different years. No legal complaint or civil suit has emerged stemming from Dixon’s account. Her statements have remained consistent in subsequent media coverage.
Media Coverage
Dixon’s allegation was first broadcast through a Los Angeles television interview, which became the basis for national reporting. A British newspaper published a detailed article summarising her claims and providing context from the pageant environment. A US network news outlet produced similar coverage, including comments from the Trump campaign disputing the allegation. A weekly news magazine included Dixon’s account in a wider review of pageant-related allegations, and a digital news outlet also referenced the claim in its reporting on Trump’s pageant practices.
These sources collectively outline Dixon’s version of events, the pageant context, and responses from Trump’s representatives. Coverage also notes variations in other contestants’ accounts. Some former competitors from the 2001 pageant recalled different circumstances or suggested Trump’s presence was announced in advance. These alternative recollections form part of the broader media landscape surrounding the allegation.
Responses and Statements
Trump Campaign and Representatives
Trump’s representatives have denied Dixon’s allegation. Statements reported in national coverage assert that the claim lacks merit and has been contradicted by other individuals associated with the pageant. Trump himself has made general remarks (in unrelated interviews) about entering backstage areas as the pageant owner, but he has not addressed Dixon’s account specifically.
Tasha Dixon
Dixon has maintained that the environment placed contestants in a vulnerable position. She has described feeling exposed, pressured to act deferentially, and unable to object because Trump owned the pageant. Her recollections emphasise the imbalance of power and lack of agency contestants had in the moment.
Context and Considerations
Dixon’s allegation remains untested in court and is not supported by physical evidence such as video or contemporaneous records. Differing memories from other participants illustrate the challenges inherent in reconstructing events that occurred two decades ago. However, the allegation sits within a broader context of similar claims from contestants in various pageants owned by Trump. The power dynamics of the pageant environment and the influence of its owner are frequently cited factors in how contestants perceived interactions and felt able to respond at the time.
Conclusion
Tasha Dixon alleges that Donald J. Trump entered a dressing-room area during the 2001 Miss USA pageant while contestants were undressed or partially dressed. She says the entry was unannounced and that contestants felt pressured to engage with Trump despite their vulnerability. Trump’s representatives have denied the allegation, and no legal action has resulted. Although the claim has been widely reported, it remains unadjudicated. It forms part of the wider public record of allegations concerning Trump’s behaviour during his ownership of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.