Trump responded that the five teens had “badly hurt and killed a person,” not acknowledging their exoneration. It is also false that the victim was murdered. She is still alive and has even spoken out about the case during the exoneration of the five. Trump additionally stated that the five pleaded guilty to their crimes, which is incorrect.
The Lawsuit
The Exonerated Five are filing a defamation lawsuit against the former president for his comments. In the lawsuit, it directly quotes Trump claiming that they killed someone as the false statement that prompted the lawsuit. “At the September 10, 2024 presidential debate, Defendant Trump falsely stated that Plaintiffs killed an individual and pleaded guilty to the crime. These statements are demonstrably false. Plaintiffs never pleaded guilty to any crime and were subsequently cleared of all wrongdoing. Further, the victims of the Central Park assaults were not killed.”
While the lawsuit asks for compensation for damages, it does not detail how much; it only states that the amount will exceed $75,000. The lawsuit also requests a jury trial.
