President Donald Trump’s attempt to have a defamation lawsuit dismissed has been rejected by a federal judge, allowing the case brought by the wrongfully convicted “Central Park Five” to proceed to trial.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that Trump’s statements about the Central Park Five could be “objectively determined” to be false, allowing the defamation lawsuit to continue.
- The lawsuit stems from statements Trump made during a 2024 presidential debate where he falsely claimed the men admitted guilt and “killed a person.”
- The five men, now known as the “Exonerated Five,” were wrongfully convicted of a 1989 rape in Central Park but were fully exonerated in 2002 when the actual perpetrator confessed.
- Trump’s legal team argues the lawsuit represents an attack on free speech and should be dismissed under Pennsylvania’s anti-SLAPP law.
Court Rejects Trump’s Dismissal Request
A federal judge has denied President Donald Trump’s request to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the five men wrongfully convicted in the 1989 Central Park jogger case. U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone determined that the case can proceed, ruling that Trump’s statements about the men could be “objectively determined” to be false. The lawsuit specifically targets comments Trump made during a presidential debate with former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, where he allegedly made false assertions about the exonerated men.
The lawsuit accuses Trump of defamation and portraying the men in a false light by claiming they pleaded guilty and “killed a person.” Court documents show that during the September presidential debate, Trump responded to Harris’s criticism of his past stance on the case by making statements that the lawsuit alleges are demonstrably false. Judge Beetlestone’s ruling allows the plaintiffs to amend their complaint and continue pursuing the case despite Trump’s legal team arguing for its dismissal.
President Trump must face Central Park Five defamation suit, judge rules https://t.co/f3BiJTawpM
— The Hill (@thehill) April 10, 2025
Historical Context and Trump’s Involvement
The Central Park Five case dates back to 1989 when five teenage boys – Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise – were wrongfully convicted of attacking and raping a female jogger in Central Park. All five were exonerated in 2002 when serial rapist Matias Reyes confessed to the crime, with DNA evidence confirming his guilt. The men spent between 6 and 13 years in prison before their convictions were vacated, and they later received a $41 million settlement from New York City.
Trump’s involvement with the case began in 1989 when he took out full-page advertisements in New York newspapers calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty. Although the ads didn’t specifically name the teenagers, they were widely interpreted as referring to the case that dominated headlines at the time. Despite their exoneration and the overwhelming evidence supporting their innocence, Trump has repeatedly refused to acknowledge their exoneration, maintaining his position even during his presidency and into his current campaign.
Legal Arguments and Defense Response
Trump’s legal team has vigorously contested the lawsuit, arguing it represents an unfounded attack on free speech. His attorneys sought dismissal based on Pennsylvania’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law, which aims to protect individuals from lawsuits that could chill free speech. The court dismissed some claims in the original filing but allowed the core defamation accusations to proceed, a decision Trump’s legal team has characterized as only a partial victory.
During the September 2024 debate that sparked this lawsuit, Trump defended his past statements by claiming, “They admitted – they said, they pled guilty.” However, court records show that while the teenagers initially made coerced confessions after lengthy interrogations without attorneys or parents present, these confessions contained numerous inconsistencies and factual errors. All convictions were later vacated based on new evidence and the confession of the actual perpetrator. The current lawsuit centers on Trump’s recent characterizations rather than his historical statements from the 1980s.
Implications for Free Speech and Public Figures
The case raises significant questions about the boundaries of protected speech for public figures, particularly when making factual claims about exonerated individuals. Legal experts note that while opinions receive substantial First Amendment protection, demonstrably false statements of fact can potentially constitute defamation, especially when they harm the reputation of private citizens. The case will likely explore the tension between free speech rights and the responsibility to avoid spreading falsehoods about criminal cases where individuals have been officially exonerated.
The five men have rebuilt their lives since their exoneration, with several becoming advocates for criminal justice reform. Yusef Salaam was elected to the New York City Council in 2023, while others have established careers in various fields. Their lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for what they describe as ongoing harm to their reputations caused by Trump’s statements. As the case proceeds to the discovery phase, both sides will present evidence regarding the accuracy of Trump’s statements and their potential impact on the plaintiffs’ reputations.
Sources:
Trump Loses Bid to End ‘Central Park Five’ Defamation Case
President Trump loses bid to end Central Park Five defamation case
