Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
When did Trump allegedly get peed on
Executive summary
Allegations that Donald Trump was the target of a “golden shower” (urination) incident in a Moscow hotel suite first surfaced in the 2016 Steele dossier and were publicized when BuzzFeed published the unverified memos; reporting ties the alleged incident to a 2013 trip around the Miss Universe pageant and the Ritz‑Carlton in Moscow [1] [2] [3]. Trump has repeatedly denied the claim in public and private settings, including at rallies and donor events, and former FBI director James Comey says Trump asked him to disprove “the golden showers thing” [3] [4] [5].
1. Origins: where the allegation first appeared
The specific claim that prostitutes were hired to perform a “golden showers (urination) show” in front of Trump comes from the Steele dossier — a set of memos compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele — which was cited in early 2017 reporting and later published in full by BuzzFeed; Newsweek and other outlets described the dossier as the source for the Moscow/FSB kompromat allegation [1] [3] [5].
2. When did it allegedly happen?
Available reporting that cites the dossier links the episode to Trump’s 2013 visit to Moscow for the Miss Universe pageant and to the presidential suite at the Ritz‑Carlton (sometimes referred to as the Carlton), where the memos claim prostitutes urinated on a bed the Obamas had used [1] [2] [6]. Multiple summaries and later articles repeatedly place the alleged incident during that 2013 trip [2] [1].
3. How the claim entered public debate and intelligence channels
BuzzFeed’s publication of the dossier and subsequent media coverage prompted U.S. intelligence briefings and reporting that the memos were part of the material analysts discussed; CNN and Newsweek note that the intelligence community and then‑FBI leadership were aware of the allegations and that they factored into briefings to Trump and others [3] [1].
4. What investigators and principals have said
Christopher Steele has been quoted saying the alleged tape “probably does exist” in later interviews, according to reporting [2]. James Comey, in his account of an early post‑election meeting with Trump, wrote that Trump asked him to prove the allegation false and specifically referenced “the golden showers thing,” which Comey says Trump wanted disproven to show Melania it was untrue; CNN reported on Comey’s recounting [3].
5. Trump’s denials and public handling of the allegation
Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation in public speeches, private donor remarks and rallies — including telling donors “I’m not into golden showers” and recounting Melania’s supposed reaction — and he has also sued entities involved in spreading parts of the dossier in attempts to clear his name [4] [7] [5]. Newsweek and Rolling Stone quote instances of Trump addressing and denying the story at rallies and private events [5] [4].
6. The evidence question and journalistic caution
Reporting on the dossier consistently describes it as unverified intelligence reporting; BuzzFeed published the memos despite their unverified nature, and news outlets have cautioned that the most sensational details remain allegations rather than proven facts [1] [3]. Christopher Steele later told a reporter he thought a tape “probably does exist,” but that statement is a claim about a possible piece of evidence, not confirmation that the incident occurred as alleged [2].
7. Competing viewpoints and motivations to note
There are multiple layers of agenda and interpretation in coverage: supporters of the dossier’s claims argue they represent serious kompromat compiled by Russian intelligence [1], while Trump and allies dismiss them as politically motivated fabrications — Trump has called the dossier fake and pursued legal action against those associated with it [7]. Media outlets also diverge on how prominently to treat the sexual‑salacious detail versus the dossier’s broader political implications [8].
8. What the available reporting does not settle
Available sources summarize allegations, denials and commentary about a possible tape, but do not present publicly authenticated footage or a law‑enforcement finding that confirms the episode occurred exactly as described; therefore, whether it actually happened remains, in the reporting you provided, unproven [1] [3] [2].
9. Bottom line for readers
The allegation most commonly cited by the press ties the incident to Trump’s 2013 Moscow trip and originates in the unverified 2016 Steele dossier; Trump and allies deny it, intelligence and media outlets have treated it as an unverified intelligence report, and subsequent statements from Steele and reporting about briefings have kept the story in public view without producing publicly verifiable proof [1] [3] [2].