New Defamation Lawsuit Against Trump Looks Promising

In a move that has sent shockwaves through this already tumultuous election season, the Central Park Five, now better known as the Exonerated Five, have filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump. This comes in light of comments he made during a recent debate against Kamala Harris in Philadelphia on September 10, where he falsely claimed that the men admitted guilt and asserted that at least one victim had died. Both statements are patently false.

The Exonerated Five—Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, and Raymond Santana—were wrongly accused in 1989 of a litany of crimes in Central Park, including the rape of a jogger. Trump infamously took out full-page ads in major New York City newspapers at the time, demanding the death penalty for the teenagers, who were all people of color. It was only years later that DNA evidence pointed to another man as the true perpetrator, leading to the men’s exoneration in 2002. They ultimately received a $41 million settlement from New York City after suing for false arrest and malicious prosecution.

The lawsuit argues that Trump’s statements during the debate demonstrate a blatant disregard for the truth—truly ripe for a defamation claim. Given Trump’s long-standing obsession with the case, it shouldn’t be difficult to satisfy the legal standard that requires proving he acted with knowledge of the falsity of the statements or with reckless disregard for the truth.

Moreover, the complaint captures years of emotional distress suffered by the plaintiffs, stemming from Trump’s persistent falsehoods dating back to when he first began his campaign against them in 1989. This continuous pattern of derogatory comments only compounds the pain inflicted by the original wrongful accusations.

Legally speaking, the claims for both defamation and emotional distress appear robust. The plaintiffs are likely to be awarded a significant settlement, as they rightfully should. However, it’s challenging to predict whether this lawsuit will fundamentally shift public perception of Trump, especially considering his history of racially charged comments and his previous defamation losses, like those against E. Jean Carroll.

As voters gear up for the upcoming election, this lawsuit may serve as yet another reminder of Trump’s controversial past, including his involvement in a high-profile racial discrimination case in the ‘70s. The continued barrage of legal challenges against Trump paints a picture of a man embroiled in an ongoing series of controversies that refuse to fade away.

The outcome of this new legal battle remains uncertain, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Trump seems undeterred, often doubling down on his statements despite mounting evidence against him. As this case unfolds, it’s clear that the Exonerated Five are standing firm, armed with the support of a strong legal team, ready to hold Trump accountable for his inflammatory rhetoric. Whether this suit will resonate with voters or influence the broader political landscape is yet to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump’s comments are facing serious scrutiny once again.