Former President #DonaldTrump is urging a federal judge in #Pennsylvania to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against him by members of the Central Park Five. 

The lawsuit stems from comments Trump made during a 2024 presidential debate, where he revisited the infamous case, calling the group “criminals” despite their exoneration, Law & Crime reports.

In a motion filed Thursday, Trump’s legal team argued that his statements were “substantially true” and protected under the First Amendment. They claimed the comments were taken out of context by the plaintiffs—Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, and Antron McCray—who were wrongfully convicted as teenagers for the 1989 assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park.

“Mr. Trump’s statements reflect his longstanding opinions about the case and are based on the evidence available at the time,” the filing stated. “They are not defamatory and fall well within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech.”

The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, alleges that Trump’s remarks during the debate perpetuated harm and defamed the plaintiffs, who were exonerated in 2002 after another man confessed to the crime. DNA evidence confirmed their innocence.

The Central Park Five, now known as the Exonerated Five, have become prominent advocates for criminal justice reform. In a joint statement, they expressed hope that the lawsuit would bring accountability.

A hearing on Trump’s motion to dismiss is scheduled for later this month.