Exonerated Five Sue Trump for Defamation

The Central Park Five, now known as the Exonerated Five, have filed a defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump following his statements during a recent presidential debate. Trump falsely claimed that the five men admitted guilt and suggested they killed someone during the 1989 Central Park jogger case, despite their convictions being vacated in 2002 after DNA evidence exonerated them. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, asserts that Trump's remarks were made with reckless disregard for the truth and caused severe emotional distress to the plaintiffs. The men had previously won a $41 million settlement from New York City after their exoneration. Trump's controversial comments came during a debate segment on race and politics, further aggravating tensions. The plaintiffs are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, though the exact amount is unspecified.