Judge Refuses to Dismiss Central Park Five’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Trump
A federal judge has ruled that the defamation case brought by the Central Park Five against Trump will move forward. The lawsuit accuses Trump of making damaging and false statements about the five men, even after their exoneration. Despite overwhelming evidence and a confession from the actual perpetrator, Trump has never retracted his past claims and continues to suggest they were guilty.
Trump paid for full-page newspaper ads in 1989 calling for the death penalty shortly after the arrests of the Central Park Five. The men were later proven innocent through DNA evidence and the confession of another man. Yet, Trump has consistently expressed doubt about their innocence. The plaintiffs argue that Trump’s repeated comments over the years have caused ongoing reputational harm, making this not just a matter of past injustice but continued defamation.
The judge ruled that Trump’s statements may reasonably be viewed as assertions of fact, not merely opinion, and therefore could be subject to legal action. This distinction is important in defamation law and allows the case to proceed to the next phase. The ruling is another legal challenge for Trump, who is already facing multiple lawsuits and investigations across the country.
The case highlights how Trump’s words—even those made decades ago—continue to carry significant weight and potential legal consequences. As the lawsuit proceeds, it could involve further court appearances and testimony that put Trump’s controversial role in the case back in the national spotlight.
Background Information
Central Park Five were five Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted in 1989
They were accused of assaulting and raping a jogger in Central Park
They were exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence and a confession from the real attacker
Trump took out newspaper ads in 1989 calling for the death penalty
Trump has refused to apologize and continues to question their innocence
New York City awarded a 41 million dollar settlement to the five men
The defamation lawsuit focuses on Trump’s continued statements after their exoneration