Many people are curious about Donald Trump’s involvement in the Central Park Five case and his ongoing stance on the issue. As the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) highlights the Exonerated Five’s fight for justice, questions have resurfaced about Trump’s controversial role in their wrongful convictions.
So, here’s everything you need to know about Trump’s history with the Exonerated Five and their continued opposition to him.
Who are the members of Central Park Five?
The Central Park Five, now known as the “Exonerated Five,” are a group of Black and Latino men. They are Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise. In 1989, authorities wrongfully convicted the five teenagers of brutally raping and assaulting Trisha Meili, a white jogger, in Central Park, New York City.
The men were teenagers at the time of their arrest and spent between five and 13 years in prison. In 2002, DNA evidence and a confession from the actual perpetrator, Matias Reyes, led to their exoneration (via The New York Times).
The case gained significant media attention and became a symbol of racial injustice and wrongful convictions. This was largely due to intense public pressure and influential figures like Donald Trump. Before the trial, Trump called for the return of the death penalty through full-page newspaper ads.
History of Central Park Five and Donald Trump
Donald Trump, then a prominent businessman, intensified the case by purchasing full-page ads in several New York City newspapers. The ads called for the death penalty and condemned the accused before their trial. Despite their exoneration in 2002, Trump has consistently refused to apologize for his actions. This came after the actual perpetrator confessed and DNA evidence proved their innocence.
Trump’s involvement in the case has remained controversial for decades. His ads significantly shaped public opinion, leading to widespread harassment of the teenagers and their families. In a 1989 interview with Larry King, Trump defended his stance, stating, “maybe hate is what we need if we’re gonna get something done,” and continued to advocate for harsher penalties and increased police protections (via CNN).
Even after New York City exonerated the men and awarded them a $41 million settlement in 2014, Trump continued to criticize the outcome. He labeled the settlement “a disgrace” and refused to admit any wrongdoing.
“The Exonerated Five” have since become powerful voices for criminal justice reform, using their platform to speak out against the injustices they endured. Their story gained renewed attention with the release of the Netflix series, When They See Us, which dramatized their experiences.
