Central Park Five Sue Trump for Defamation

The Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five, have filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump for false statements he made during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10. They claim Trump inaccurately stated that they had 'pled guilty' to murder, which they assert is demonstrably false as they never admitted guilt and were exonerated in 2002. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, citing that Trump's remarks caused them emotional distress and further damaged their reputations. Trump's history with the case includes a 1989 full-page ad calling for the death penalty for the group, which he has continued to reference in his political rhetoric. Legal experts emphasize that this lawsuit is an attempt to hold Trump accountable for his long-standing pattern of making false claims about the men. The case has garnered attention as it highlights ongoing issues of racial injustice and the consequences of wrongful convictions.