A federal judge has rejected President Donald Trump 's effort to dismiss a defamation lawsuit against him filed by the men formerly known as the Central Park Five who were exonerated after spending more than a decade in prison for the 1989 rape and beating of a woman who was jogging.

In a ruling on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone in Philadelphia said the men had presented enough evidence to pursue their lawsuit accusing Trump of defaming them in comments he made during the 2024 presidential campaign.

President Donald Trump lost a bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by plaintiffs known as the Exonerated Five (formerly the Central Park Five).

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich refused to grant a preliminary injunction to more than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans.