Central Park Five Take Legal Action Against Trump. Former President Donald Trump is facing a defamation lawsuit from members of the Central Park Five after remarks he made during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. The lawsuit centers on statements made by Trump in which he reiterated past claims about the group’s guilt. Despite their exoneration over two decades ago.
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The Central Park Five—now known as the Exonerated Five—consists of five Black and Latino teenagers. Who were wrongfully convicted in the 1989 assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park. Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after DNA evidence and a confession from the actual perpetrator cleared them of all charges. Despite this, Trump has maintained his stance that the group was guilty. A position that has drawn widespread criticism over the years.
During the debate with Harris, Trump referenced the case while discussing crime policies and doubled down on his previous claims. He also defended his controversial 1989 newspaper ad. In which he called for the reinstatement of the death penalty in the wake of the Central Park case, a stance he has never publicly retracted.
In response, the Exonerated Five—Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise—filed a defamation suit. Arguing that Trump’s repeated false claims have continued to damage their reputations and perpetuate a false narrative of their guilt. The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s comments were made with “malice” and reckless disregard for the truth. and seeks damages for the harm caused to their lives and reputations.
In a joint statement, the Exonerated Five said, “For over 30 years. We have been fighting to clear our names and to live our lives free of the stigma from a crime we didn’t commit. Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the truth and his ongoing attacks on us continue to inflict harm. This lawsuit is about holding him accountable for the damage his words have caused.”
Legal experts suggest that the case could become a high-profile battle. Given Trump’s history of inflammatory statements and the national attention the Central Park Five case has attracted over the years. Defamation lawsuits, particularly involving public figures. Are often difficult to win, but the plaintiffs may argue that the exoneration and public knowledge of their innocence provide a strong basis for their claims.
Trump’s legal team has yet to respond to the lawsuit. But the former president has previously defended his position on the case. Citing his long-held belief that the original evidence against the group was sufficient for conviction. However, the Exonerated Five and their supporters have pointed to systemic racism. A flawed justice system as the root causes of their wrongful conviction.
The case brings renewed attention to the Central Park Five’s long-fought battle for justice. The broader conversation about racial bias in the U.S. criminal justice system. With the lawsuit now underway, the outcome could have significant implications for public discourse around the case and Trump’s ongoing public comments.
