Trump Ally Acknowledges Hair-Pulling Incident at Bond Street Station

Melissa Rein Lively, a public relations executive and vocal supporter of Donald Trump, has formally admitted to physically attacking a woman by yanking her hair at a London Underground station. The incident occurred at Bond Street station on the evening of October 11, prompting the victim to report the matter to authorities.

During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, it was revealed that Rein Lively, 40, accepted a conditional caution. Consequently, the charge of assault by beating against her was dropped. The US citizen did not attend the proceedings. Her partner, Philipp Ostermann, who was present at the scene, contested charges of two racially aggravated public order offenses and one additional public order offense. He was granted conditional bail and will face trial at the City of London Magistrates' Court on November 17.

Prosecutor Lyndon Harris informed the judge that Rein Lively’s admission constituted an offense. As part of the caution, she agreed to provide £910 in compensation to the victim. The court noted that this payment has not yet been made and is scheduled for July.

The court heard details regarding the altercation. The victim was walking with her sister and two children, one of whom was seated in a pushchair. Ostermann and Rein Lively were walking slightly ahead of the group and appeared to be kissing. Witnesses and prosecutors described both individuals as appearing intoxicated.

According to the prosecution, Rein Lively stumbled into the pushchair, causing the woman to push back against it with the stroller. Ostermann then allegedly shouted, "You bloody Indians, watch where you're going, you shouldn't be here." The victim reportedly retorted that Rein Lively had fallen into the stroller, clarified that they were not Indian, and accused Ostermann of racism. Following this exchange, Rein Lively forcefully grabbed one of the sisters by the hair and pulled it.

Rein Lively is the founder of America First Public Relations, a firm that brands itself as "anti-woke." Ostermann, a 37-year-old German national, serves as the associate director at Aequita, a private equity firm based in Munich.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-02 11:35:42 UTC