Trump Attorneys Seek Judge's Recusal in Defamation Case

A federal judge has agreed to recuse himself from the defamation lawsuit filed by the exonerated Central Park Five against President-elect Donald Trump, following a request from Trump's legal team citing the judge's longstanding friendship with the plaintiffs' attorney, Shanin Specter. Trump's attorneys argued that Judge Michael Baylson's personal connection to Specter could lead to questions about impartiality in the high-profile case. The lawsuit stems from Trump's comments during a presidential debate, where he falsely stated that the plaintiffs pled guilty and killed someone. The Central Park Five, who were wrongfully convicted in 1989, have accused Trump of making defamatory statements about them. The case will be reassigned to another judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Trump's campaign has previously labeled the lawsuit as frivolous.