President Donald Trump just took another major L in court after a federal judge ruled against his attempt to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the Central Park Five.
As previously reported on Hollywood Unlocked, Trump is facing backlash over his comments during the 2024 presidential debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The lawsuit accuses him of spreading false information about the five Black and Latino men who were wrongfully convicted in the infamous 1989 Central Park jogger case.
U.S. District Court Judge Wendy Beelestone from Pennsylvania said the case can move forward — despite Trump’s legal team claiming he didn’t say anything defamatory.
Trump’s Controversial 2024 Debate Comments Come Back to Haunt Him
During the heated 2024 presidential debate, Kamala Harris did not hold back. She called Trump out for taking out that now-infamous full-page ad in The New York Times, where he demanded the death penalty for the Central Park Five — who were all innocent.
Trump, never one to back down, responded with a statement that sparked this defamation lawsuit:
“They admitted — they said, they pled guilty. And I said, well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately.”
Problem is — that statement is flat-out false.
Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, and Korey Wise never pled guilty. And the victim of the 1989 attack survived — she was not killed.
The plaintiffs argue Trump’s statement during the debate was not only misleading but damaging to their reputation, given their history of being wrongfully convicted and later exonerated.
Judge Allows Case to Move Forward Despite Trump’s Legal Arguments
Judge Beelestone ruled that the plaintiffs are allowed to modify their complaint — keeping this case alive and moving forward in federal court.
Trump’s lawyers argued that his comments were protected speech under Pennsylvania’s anti-SLAPP law, designed to prevent lawsuits that chill free speech.
But the court wasn’t trying to hear that — at least not in full. While some claims were dismissed, the core of the case remains.
Trump’s Lawyer Responds: “This Baseless Lawsuit”
Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Karin Sweigart, pushed back hard against the judge’s ruling.
“This baseless lawsuit is yet another unfounded and meritless attack against President Trump. It exemplifies the very kind of meritless legal action Pennsylvania’s anti-SLAPP law aims to prevent.”
Sweigart added: “The court’s dismissal of several claims is a victory. We firmly believe the entire case should have been dismissed and will continue fighting to protect the First Amendment rights of not just the President, but all Americans.”
But for now — Trump is still in the hot seat.
The Central Park Five’s Fight for Justice Isn’t Over
This lawsuit is more than just about words — it’s about legacy, truth, and clearing their names once and for all.
Yusef Salaam, who is now a New York City Council member, has spoken openly about how their wrongful conviction shaped his life.
The case moving forward is another reminder that even decades later, injustice doesn’t just disappear — especially when powerful figures continue to spread false narratives.
