Trump Central Park Five Lawsuit Dismissed
- President Donald Trump's ongoing legal battle with the men formerly known as the Central Park Five continues, as a federal judge denied his motion to dismiss their defamation...
- District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that Pennsylvania's Anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to shield individuals from lawsuits targeting protected speech, does not apply in this federal court case.
- The Central Park Five, now exonerated, sued Trump, alleging defamation based on his repeated claims that they were guilty of the 1989 rape and assault of a jogger...
In a meaningful legal setback, a federal judge rejected Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed by the Central Park Five. This ruling allows the case, centered on trump’s claims made during a presidential debate, to proceed toward trial. The lawsuit alleges that Trump defamed the men by falsely stating they were guilty of the 1989 Central Park jogger assault. The judge determined that Pennsylvania’s Anti-SLAPP law does not apply in this federal case. The plaintiffs, now exonerated, are seeking justice for Trump’s statements. News directory 3 delivers the latest developments on this significant case. With the case advancing, both sides prepare for arguments and potential findings. Discover what’s next as this legal battle unfolds.
Judge Rejects Trump’s Motion in Central Park Five Defamation Case
Updated June 28, 2025
President Donald Trump’s ongoing legal battle with the men formerly known as the Central Park Five continues, as a federal judge denied his motion to dismiss their defamation lawsuit on Friday. The lawsuit, filed in October, stems from statements Trump made during a Sept. 10 presidential debate.
U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that Pennsylvania’s Anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to shield individuals from lawsuits targeting protected speech, does not apply in this federal court case. This decision marks another setback for trump in his efforts to have the case dismissed.
The Central Park Five, now exonerated, sued Trump, alleging defamation based on his repeated claims that they were guilty of the 1989 rape and assault of a jogger in Central Park. Yusef Salaam, raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, and Korey Wise, who spent years in prison before their exoneration, claim Trump falsely stated during the debate that they “killed somebody” and “pled guilty” to the crime.
“These statements are demonstrably false,” the plaintiffs stated in their filing.
Beetlestone previously rejected a similar motion from Trump in April, allowing the defamation lawsuit to proceed.
What’s next
The case will proceed toward trial, with both sides preparing for further legal arguments and potential finding. The Central Park Five defamation lawsuit remains a critically important legal challenge for the president.