Defamation battle sparked by Donald Trump’s exonerated five remarks after he claimed that a Central Park victim who was still alive was “virtually dead”

The lawsuit filed by the Exonerated Five (formerly the Central Park Five) against Donald Trump stems from his controversial remarks during the 2024 presidential debate. Trump reiterated false claims that the five men, who were wrongfully convicted in 1989 of raping a jogger in Central Park, had admitted guilt and caused someone’s death. His defense centers on the argument that his statements were “substantially true,” a claim that the Exonerated Five, now in their 40s and 50s, strongly dispute.

The lawsuit highlights that the men never pled guilty to any crime, and their convictions were overturned in 2002 after DNA evidence and a confession from the real perpetrator, Matias Reyes. The Exonerated Five emphasize that their confessions were coerced under duress and later recanted. Despite their exoneration, Trump has refused to apologize or retract his statements, continuing to push harmful rhetoric even after the men were cleared.

Trump’s legal team argues that no reasonable listener would interpret his statements as suggesting that the Exonerated Five actually pled guilty or killed someone. However, the plaintiffs contend that Trump’s words still carry significant weight, particularly as he is a high-profile public figure. The legal team for the Exonerated Five claims Trump’s words were “demonstrably false” and contributed to ongoing harm by perpetuating the false narrative about their guilt.

This lawsuit isn’t just about correcting the record; it’s about holding Trump accountable for his inflammatory rhetoric, which the plaintiffs argue continues to fuel racialized injustice. As the case progresses, Trump’s legal team seeks to have the lawsuit dismissed, but the Exonerated Five remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice.

The legal battle has rekindled long-standing tensions over the case, reminding the public of the profound racial and legal injustices the Central Park Five faced, and the continued impact of Trump’s words on their lives.