‘Central Park Five’ Sue Trump Over Debate Remarks

The lawsuit filed on Oct. 21 accuses former President Donald Trump of defamation based on comments he made at a recent presidential debate. Five men who were cleared of rape charges are suing Trump for stating during the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris that they “pled guilty” and “badly hurt a person” and “killed a person, ultimately.” The suit, filed in federal court in Pennsylvania, argues that these remarks are defamatory as the five men were never accused or convicted of killing anyone. The plaintiffs claim that Trump made these comments negligently, either knowing they were false or with reckless disregard for the truth. The suit alleges that Trump’s conduct was extreme and outrageous, intended to cause severe emotional distress to the plaintiffs. The five men were convicted in 1990 of rape and other charges but later had their convictions vacated based on newly discovered evidence. Trump’s involvement in the case was highlighted during the debate by Harris, prompting his response linking the men to the crime. Trump’s campaign spokesman dismissed the lawsuit as a frivolous attempt to distract from Harris’s agenda and campaign.

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