The Central Park Five have filed a defamation lawsuit against former President Donald J. Trump, accusing him of making false statements during a recent presidential debate that they claim continue to damage their reputations. The lawsuit, filed on October 21, 2024, alleges that Trump’s remarks were part of a “continuing pattern” of falsehoods intended to harm the men, who were wrongfully convicted in a 1989 assault case that has long been a point of contention.
In their complaint, the Central Park Five—Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, and Korey Wise—allege that Trump’s debate statements were “knowingly false” and designed to undermine the legal exoneration they received in 2002. The five men were exonerated after DNA evidence proved they were not involved in the brutal assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park, a case that gripped the nation and led to their wrongful imprisonment as teenagers.
“Donald Trump’s comments during the debate represent a deliberate attempt to perpetuate a lie that has been thoroughly debunked by the courts and by DNA evidence,” the lawsuit states. “This is part of a continuing pattern of false statements intended to make the men suffer and to undermine their standing in the eyes of the public.”
The lawsuit centers on remarks Trump made during the third presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, where he reiterated his past claims that the Central Park Five were guilty, despite their exoneration more than two decades ago. Trump’s comments echoed his infamous 1989 full-page ads in New York newspapers, where he called for the reinstatement of the death penalty in response to the case.
The Central Park Five’s legal team argues that Trump’s statements, made on a national stage, have inflicted further harm on the men’s reputations and have subjected them to renewed public scrutiny and attacks. “Trump’s statements are not only false, but they are harmful, causing the plaintiffs to endure emotional distress and suffering yet again,” the complaint reads.
Yusef Salaam, one of the five men, spoke out about the lawsuit during a press conference in New York City. “We were wrongfully convicted, and we have spent our lives trying to heal from the trauma that followed. Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the truth continues to harm us,” Salaam said. “It’s time for him to be held accountable for the damage he has done.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for defamation and emotional distress. It also demands a public retraction of Trump’s statements and an apology to the five men. “This lawsuit is about justice and holding Donald Trump accountable for his actions,” said Raymond Santana, another of the Central Park Five. “We will not stand by while he spreads lies that continue to haunt us.”
Trump has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit. However, his legal team has previously defended his right to express his opinions on matters of public interest, arguing that his comments regarding the Central Park Five are protected by free speech. In past statements, Trump has stood by his original views on the case, insisting that his 1989 calls for the death penalty were justified given the information available at the time.
The Central Park Five’s exoneration has been widely accepted as a miscarriage of justice, with the men receiving a $41 million settlement from New York City in 2014. The case has become emblematic of racial injustice in the criminal justice system, with the five men emerging as advocates for criminal justice reform and the rights of wrongfully convicted individuals.
Legal experts suggest that the defamation case could hinge on whether Trump’s debate comments can be proven to have been made with “actual malice”—a legal standard required in defamation cases involving public figures. “The challenge will be demonstrating that Trump knew his statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth,” said Susan Hendricks, a legal analyst specializing in defamation cases. “However, given the long history of this case and the evidence of their exoneration, the plaintiffs may have a compelling argument.”
The lawsuit marks the latest chapter in the decades-long conflict between Trump and the Central Park Five. The men have frequently spoken out against Trump’s refusal to acknowledge their innocence, even after their names were cleared. The renewed legal battle comes as Trump campaigns for the 2024 presidential election, with his debate remarks stirring controversy and reigniting discussions about the Central Park Five case.
As the case moves forward, the Central Park Five’s lawsuit highlights the enduring impact of their wrongful convictions and the ongoing battle for their reputations. The outcome could have significant implications not only for the five men but also for the broader conversation about accountability and justice in the public sphere.