Trump Defamation Lawsuit by Exonerated Five Proceeds

A federal judge has denied President Donald Trump's bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the Central Park Five, now known as the Exonerated Five. The lawsuit arises from Trump's false statements made during a 2024 presidential debate, where he claimed the men pled guilty to crimes connected to the 1989 Central Park jogger case. U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the defamation case, though she dismissed claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiffs, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, and Korey Wise, were exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence and a confession from another individual confirmed their innocence. They seek damages for reputational and emotional harm due to Trump's comments, which the judge stated could be 'objectively determined' to be false. Trump's defense argued his statements were protected by the First Amendment, but the court found that they could be construed as fact rather than opinion.