Particle.news
Download on the App Store
9 ARTICLES
·
4w ago

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. President Donald Trump attends the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Image
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: (L-R) Antron Mccray, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, and Korey Wise, collectively known as the "Central Park Five", attend the BETX Celebrity Basketball Game Sponsored By Sprite during the BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Image

Overview

  • 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.