The five men, once known as the “Central Park Five,” are suing former President Donald Trump for defamation. They allege that Trump made false and damaging statements about them during a 2024 presidential debate. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, accuses Trump of knowingly spreading misinformation about their involvement in the 1989 assault and rape case that led to their wrongful imprisonment.
The men, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, and Korey Wise, claim that Trump’s statements have caused ongoing harm. During the debate, Trump stated that the men “pleaded guilty” and “badly hurt a person, killed a person.” However, the lawsuit insists these claims are “demonstrably false.” Their attorneys argue, “Plaintiffs never pled guilty to the Central Park assaults. Plaintiffs all pled not guilty and maintained their innocence throughout.”
Trump’s Controversial Comments
This legal action stems from Trump’s long-standing criticism of the case. At the time of the crime in 1989, Trump took out full-page ads in New York newspapers calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty. “Bring back the death penalty, bring back our police,” Trump urged in the ads, which were widely criticized for racial overtones. The five men, all teenagers at the time, were later exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence revealed another man committed the crime.
Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the debate, highlighted Trump’s ads during a discussion on race and justice. She said, “This is the same individual who took out a full-page ad calling for the execution of five young Black and Latino boys who were innocent.” Trump responded by doubling down, claiming they had “admitted guilt.”
The group, now referred to as the Exonerated Five, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Their lawsuit argues that Trump’s remarks perpetuate misinformation, causing emotional distress and placing them in a false light.
The five men previously settled a lawsuit with New York City in 2014 for $41 million, after being wrongfully convicted. Their defamation suit against Trump now seeks to hold him accountable for what they believe are reckless and harmful claims.