In an attempt to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the Central Park Five over false claims made during a debate, Donald Trump faced a setback as his motion was denied by a federal judge in Pennsylvania. The judge, Wendy Beetlestone, ruled that the case brought by Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, and Korey Wise could proceed, stemming from Trump's remarks implying their guilt during a presidential debate. The lawsuit revolves around Trump's statements falsely accusing the men of confessing to and being involved in a crime. Despite Trump's legal team asserting that his comments were opinions based on historical events and not defamatory, Judge Beetlestone disagreed, allowing the defamation claims to move forward. The plaintiffs, known as The Exonerated Five, who were cleared of wrongdoing in 2002, seek financial compensation for the harm inflicted on their reputations and emotional well-being by Trump's purportedly damaging statements.