In a new legal battle for former President Donald Trump, a defamation lawsuit has been filed by the Central Park Five, who allege “extreme and outrageous conduct” spanning decades. The men, previously known as the Central Park Five, were wrongfully convicted of raping a jogger in New York City’s Central Park back in 1989. Trump had taken out full-page ads in major newspapers at the time, advocating for the death penalty.
After their convictions were vacated in 2002, and the city of New York paid out $41 million in 2014 to settle a civil rights lawsuit, the men have faced ongoing false claims by Trump. He has continued to falsely suggest that they pleaded guilty and insinuated they were involved in killing someone. The men, now referred to as the “Exonerated Five,” have now taken legal action against Trump for his defamatory statements.
During a presidential debate in September, Trump made further disputed remarks regarding the case, prompting a response from Kamala Harris who highlighted Trump’s past actions. Yusef Salaam, one of the wrongfully convicted men who spent nearly seven years in prison, is now the lead plaintiff in the defamation lawsuit against Trump. The lawsuit outlines a pattern of harm, emotional distress, and reputational damage caused by Trump’s continued false statements.
The Central Park Five’s story was documented in a Ken Burns documentary and explored further in the series “When They See Us” by Ava DuVernay, shedding light on the systemic issues and racism surrounding the case. The men, including Salaam, also made a public appearance at the Democratic National Convention to endorse Harris.
Despite facing legal challenges in the past, including a defamation case brought by E Jean Carroll over sexual assault allegations, Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing. The lawsuit from the Central Park Five highlights a history of damaging falsehoods perpetuated by Trump and seeks justice for the harm caused to the wrongfully convicted men.