Renewed attention has turned to Donald Trump’s role in the 1991 Elite “Look of the Year” modeling contest after allegations of exploitation involving teenage participants resurfaced.
BY PC Bureau
February 2, 2026: Fresh scrutiny has resurfaced over Donald Trump’s involvement in the 1991 Elite Model Management “Look of the Year” competition, following renewed attention to allegations that the prestigious modeling contest enabled systematic exploitation of teenage participants.
In 1991, Trump — then a 45-year-old real estate mogul — served as a headline sponsor and one of ten judges for the global modeling competition, which was held at Trump Plaza Hotel in New York City. The event brought together 58 aspiring models aged 14 to 19 from around the world, competing for a $150,000 contract and international modeling exposure.
The week-long event featured photo shoots, makeovers, swimwear judging rounds, private dinners, and lavish parties, including a yacht event aboard the Spirit of New York, where contestants reportedly mingled with judges, agents, and wealthy patrons.
Video footage from the time shows Trump posing for photographs with contestants, asking about their backgrounds, and directing poses during judging sessions. He also served as a judge at the 1992 iteration of the contest.
Donald Trump served as a judge at a teen model contest in 1991 — with girls as young as 14.
The Guardian recently revealed it was a front for wealthy men to sexually exploit them. pic.twitter.com/m7R9C8LtOX https://t.co/3uaPl66MRp
— Earth_Wanderer (@earth_tracker) January 31, 2026
Allegations of Exploitation
While promoted as a gateway to modeling success, a 2020 investigation by The Guardian uncovered disturbing allegations that the event was used as a vehicle for sexual exploitation by Elite founder John Casablancas and individuals within his professional circle.
Former contestants and insiders described an environment in which teenage participants were allegedly groomed, pressured, and abused, with accusations ranging from sexual harassment to rape.
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Casablancas — who later married 17-year-old model Aline Wermelinger in 1993 — had a documented history of relationships with underage models. He was accused by multiple women of exploiting his position to initiate sexual encounters with minors. Casablancas died in 2013 and was never criminally charged in connection with these allegations.
One former contestant, Shawna Lee, who was 14 at the time, alleged she was pressured to perform a private dance for Trump and Casablancas during the 1992 event.
“It didn’t feel like modeling at all,” Lee said. “I just spun around and blew a kiss after refusing to dance fully.”
Lee further alleged that later that evening, Elite executive Gérald Marie sexually exploited her, describing it as her first sexual encounter and saying she felt “manipulated and frozen with fear.”
Marie has denied wrongdoing, though multiple women have since accused him of sexual assault.
Culture of Coercion
Other contestants described a culture of coercion and intimidation, claiming they were expected to attend private dinners and late-night gatherings with judges and influential men as part of their perceived obligations.
Former participant Stacy Wilkes said she felt “ganged up on” after judges — including Trump — criticized her weight during a swimwear round.
Model Kate Dillon described opportunities for exclusive after-hours parties involving Trump, suggesting that favorable treatment could hinge on personal compliance, particularly for girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Alcohol was allegedly present at events, though Trump’s representatives denied he supplied alcohol or encouraged underage drinking.
Other Figures Implicated
The Guardian investigation also highlighted allegations involving other prominent figures. Magician David Copperfield was accused of inviting teenage models to his hotel room, while modeling agent David Weil later pleaded guilty to statutory rape of a 15-year-old model he met at the 1992 contest.
Trump’s Position
Importantly, no direct accusations of sexual misconduct have been made against Donald Trump regarding these events.
Trump’s spokespeople have consistently maintained that he “hardly knew” Casablancas, spent limited time at the events, and had no knowledge of any predatory conduct.
However, critics have questioned Trump’s deep involvement and financial backing of a contest centered on teenage girls — particularly during a period when his business empire was experiencing significant financial stress.
The competition was filmed for a Fox television special, foreshadowing Trump’s later ventures into beauty pageants and reality television, including his 1996 purchase of the Miss Universe Organization and the creation of Trump Model Management.
Melania Trump Connection
Notably, Melania Knauss (later Melania Trump) was a runner-up in the 1992 Slovenian leg of the competition, though she did not attend the New York finals.
Renewed Public Scrutiny
The Guardian’s 2020 findings regained traction in 2025 after archival footage resurfaced online, generating millions of views and renewed public debate amid broader scrutiny of Trump’s historical associations.
While the investigation did not conclude that the contest functioned as an organized trafficking operation, it portrayed an environment that enabled exploitation, facilitated by imbalances of power, fame, wealth, and ambition.
The case continues to fuel wider conversations about accountability, safeguarding minors, and abuse of power within elite industries, particularly in the wake of the global #MeToo movement, which empowered survivors to share their experiences long after the events occurred.
