Former President Donald Trump is now embroiled in a defamation lawsuit brought forth by the Central Park Five, a group of black and latino men, false accused of the 1989 assault and rape of Trisha Meili.
On Monday, October 21, Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Korey Wise, and Raymond Santana took their fight to federal court in Pennsylvania, accusing Trump of tarnishing their reputations and causing them emotional turmoil during a recent national debate with Kamala Harris.
During the debate, Trump made claims, suggesting that the men had initially confessed to the crime before retracting their statements, and even went so far as to say they “killed a person ultimately.”
FACT CHECK: Central Park Five did not plead guilty to any crimes connected to Trisha Meili
Photo Credit: Win McNamee
These assertions by the former president are false; the men never admitted guilt in connection with the case of Meili, who, at 64, is very much alive. Throughout their corrupt trial, they steadfastly maintained their innocence, only to be wrongfully convicted. It wasn’t until 2002 that Matias Reyes‘s confession finally cleared their names.
Since 1989, Trump has repeatedly insisted on their guilt, but the Central Park Five‘s lawsuit does not specify the amount they are seeking in damages.
Trump’s campaign is responding to the lawsuit. Steven Cheung told Forbes that the lawsuit is a “frivolous” attempt by “desperate left-wing activists” to divert attention from what he described as Kamala Harris’s failing campaign and extreme policies.
