Exonerated ‘Central Park Five’ Sue Donald Trump for Defamation After Debate Remarks

New York, NY – The five men known as the Central Park Five, now called the Exonerated Five, have filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump following his comments during the September 10 presidential debate. The lawsuit stems from Trump’s false assertions that the men – Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise – had pleaded guilty to the 1989 assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park and that the victim had died.

During the Pennsylvania debate, Trump stated, “They admitted — they said, they pled guilty… and killed a person ultimately.” However, the five men, who were teenagers at the time of their conviction, had always maintained their innocence and were exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence pointed to another perpetrator. The victim of the attack also survived.

The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, argues that Trump’s statements are “demonstrably false” and have caused harm to the men, now in their 50s. It emphasizes that they never pleaded guilty to any crime and were cleared of all charges. The case draws attention to the false confessions coerced during a time of racial tension and Trump’s controversial role, as he had previously called for the death penalty in large newspaper ads.

Shanin Specter, the attorney representing the five men, noted that while an apology or retraction from Trump would be ideal, the civil justice system only allows for monetary damages. Trump’s campaign dismissed the lawsuit as a politically motivated distraction.

The Exonerated Five seek a trial to determine damages but have not specified an amount. Yusef Salaam, now a New York City Council member, was present at the debate when Trump made his remarks.