Donald Trump has suggested Mike Tyson damaged his defence by testifying at his 1992 trial for the rape of Desiree Washington. The US president discusses the case in the new Netflix documentary series, TYSON, which launches on Tuesday.
Tyson's Conviction and Trump's Ties
Now 60, Tyson was convicted of raping Washington, an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant, at the Canterbury Hotel in July 1991. The former heavyweight champion was sentenced to six years in prison and released in March 1995 after serving three years.
Trump had close ties to Tyson's boxing career at the time, helping stage several of his fights in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Atlantic City's Convention Hall, which was linked to Trump Plaza, hosted Tyson's bouts against Michael Spinks, Carl Williams and Alex Stewart.
Testimony and Reactions
In particular, Trump has indicated Tyson may have damaged his case by providing evidence. 'The Baddest Man on the Planet' gave testimony in an Indianapolis courtroom for 78 minutes, maintaining his interaction with Washington was consensual, which resulted in the prosecution highlighting alleged contradictions in his version of events.
"I think Mike shouldn't have testified," said Trump during his appearance in the docuseries. "I'm not sure that he did a bad job in testifying. But one thing with Mike, he's very truthful. And I think the truth hurt him...in this case."
Trump was himself held liable for the sexual abuse and defamation of author E Jean Carroll by a federal civil jury in 2023.
Documentary Testimonies
TYSON includes testimonies from individuals close to the renowned boxer, alongside his personal bodyguard and others. One associate, Dawn Milhouse, contends he "never stood a chance" of prevailing in the Indianapolis trial owing to purported racist history within the state.
The third instalment of the series also presents testimony from Dr Thomas Richardson, an emergency room doctor at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis at the time. Richardson, who examined Washington following her hospital visit the day after she agreed to meet Tyson, said she displayed abrasions compatible with sexual assault.
Additional beauty pageant witnesses who had encountered Tyson during the period of the allegations remarked upon his direct approach concerning his desires. One recounted how Tyson would approach contestants individually asking whether they wished to date, noting some deliberately avoided him.
Tyson's court testimony seemed to corroborate those reports as he acknowledged under oath: "I explained to her that I wanted to f*** her." He continues to assert his innocence and conviction that the encounter was entirely consensual in the documentary, declaring: "She never said 'no'. I didn't cross a line."
Testimony from Tyson's driver at the time, Virginia Foster, also undermined his defence. Foster gave evidence under oath that Washington seemed to be "in a state of shock" upon returning to the limousine during the early morning hours. Foster further claimed Tyson had previously exposed himself to her in a hotel room and made unwanted advances on another occasion.
Ongoing Relationship
Trump's connection with Tyson appears to remain strong to this day. Last week, Tyson attended a Trump rally in Syracuse, New York, in advance of the US mid-term elections and referred to him as "my president." Speaking to a gathering of Republican supporters, he continued: "There's no way in the world I would ever be here if it wasn't for a president like Donald Trump."
