What Did Trump Say About Central Park 5 in the Presidential Debate? Statement Explained

In the recent presidential debate, Donald Trump reignited discussions about his controversial stance on the Central Park 5 case. His comments, made during a heated exchange on race and justice, have sparked renewed interest and debate.

In this article, we will delve into the details of Donald Trump’s statement about Central Park Five.

Donald Trump’s statement about Central Park 5 explained

During the presidential debate on Tuesday, September 10, Donald Trump defended his controversial stance on the death penalty in the context of the Central Park Five case. His comments come amid ongoing scrutiny over his long-standing call for reinstating capital punishment after five Black and Latino teenagers were wrongfully convicted of rape in 1989.

When prompted by moderators about his previous statements regarding Kamala Harris’ racial identity, Trump struggled to address them. In a dismissive tone, he declared regarding Harris’ race, “I don’t care what she is. I don’t care.” He further attempted to downplay the significance of his comments by saying, “Whatever she wants to be is OK with me.” (via The Guardian)

Meanwhile, Harris criticized Trump for using race as a tool to divide Americans. She reminded the audience of his 1989 ad in the New York Times that urged for the death penalty following the Central Park assault. The ad came after the wrongful arrests and confessions of the five teenagers, which were later proven to be coerced. In 2002, the true perpetrator, Matias Reyes, confessed to the crime, and DNA evidence confirmed his guilt.

Despite the exoneration of the Central Park Five and the significant settlement they received from New York City, Trump maintained his position during the debate. The former President claimed, “They pled guilty,” and asserted that they were responsible for the crime. He also mentioned that former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg allegedly agreed with his viewpoint.

Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated men who is now a New York City Council member, responded to Trump’s comments. He expressed his readiness to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, reflecting on the progress made since their wrongful convictions.

Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the wrongful convictions or apologize for his past actions continues to draw criticism from those affected by the case.