Judge Rules Defamation Lawsuit Against Trump by Central Park Five Will Proceed

Court finds Trump's false claims about the exonerated men to be factual assertions, rejecting motion to dismiss defamation case.

U.S. District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone denied Donald Trump's motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed by the Central Park Five.
The lawsuit stems from Trump's debate remarks falsely claiming the men pleaded guilty and committed murder, statements the court ruled are factual and objectively disprovable.
The Central Park Five, exonerated in 2002 after being wrongfully convicted of a 1989 rape, argue Trump's comments perpetuate a historical injustice.
The judge dismissed additional claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress but allowed the plaintiffs an opportunity to amend those claims.
This ruling advances a high-profile case with implications for defamation law, free speech, and accountability in political rhetoric.