Central Park Five Sue Donald Trump for Defamation Over Recent Comments

Members of the “Central Park Five” have filed a defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, alleging that he made false and defamatory statements about them during the recent September presidential debate. The lawsuit, filed on October 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, names Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, and Korey Wise as the plaintiffs.

The Central Park Five were wrongly convicted in 1989 for a rape and assault that took place in Central Park. They were later exonerated after the real perpetrator confessed to the crime. Despite their exoneration, Trump has repeatedly made public statements suggesting their guilt, including during the recent presidential debate.

The lawsuit claims that Trump’s comments were knowingly false and intended to harm the reputations of the five men. The plaintiffs argue that these statements have caused them significant emotional distress and damage to their reputations.

This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism for his comments on the Central Park Five. His past statements on the case have been widely condemned, and this lawsuit represents the latest legal challenge to his public remarks.