Breaking: Exonerated Five Launch Major Defamation Suit Against Trump Following Debate Claims
In a dramatic turn of events that brings a decades-old case back into the national spotlight, the Exonerated Five—formerly known as the Central Park Five—have filed a defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump over controversial statements he made during last month’s presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Heart of the Matter
The Eastern District of Pennsylvania filed the lawsuit, focusing on Trump’s false claims during the September 10 debate that the five men had
- plead guilty to their charges.
- The incident did not result in any deaths.
- Admitted to the crimes.
Who Are the Plaintiffs?
The lawsuit is being brought by five men:
- Yusef Salaam (now a New York City Council member)
- Antron McCray
- Kevin Richardson
- Raymond Santana
- Korey Wise
Setting the Record Straight
Shanin Specter, the attorney representing the five men, underscored the seriousness of the situation: “These men faced defamation in front of 67 million people.” The lawsuit aims to restore their reputations and seek both compensatory and punitive damages through a jury trial.
Historical Context
The case dates back to 1989, when the five men, then teenagers, were wrongfully convicted of assaulting and raping a jogger in Central Park. Key facts:
- All maintained their innocence throughout.
- DNA evidence exonerated us in 2002.
- New York City awarded me a $41 million settlement.
- We found coercion in their confessions.
Trump’s involvement in the case began when he took out full-page newspaper ads calling for the death penalty’s reinstatement—an action that has followed both him and the five men through the decades.
The Debate Statements
During the presidential debate, Trump made the following statement: “They admitted—they said, they pleaded guilty… they badly hurt a person, and ultimately killed a person.” These statements form the core of the defamation claim, as both assertions are demonstrably false.
Legal Implications
This lawsuit joins a growing list of legal challenges facing Trump:
- January 2024: E. Jean Carroll awarded $83.3 million in defamation damages
- In May 2023, Carroll received a $5 million verdict in his sexual abuse case.
Responses from the Trump Camp
Trump’s campaign spokesman Steven Cheung dismissed the lawsuit as “just another frivolous, election interference lawsuit” aimed at distracting voters from Harris’s campaign.
Looking Forward
With the presidential election just two weeks away, this lawsuit adds another layer of complexity to an already heated political landscape. The Exonerated Five continue their advocacy work, with several members:
- Speaking at the Democratic National Convention
- I am participating in Rev. Al Sharpton’s voter outreach initiatives.
- Actively campaigning for Harris
Their attorney noted that while an apology from Trump would be “helpful,” they are “not holding our breath for that.” The case now moves forward as both a legal battle and a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of wrongful convictions and the importance of truth in public discourse.
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