Donald Trump was served with a lawsuit at his Mar-a-Lago estate, marking a contentious twist amid the election season.

The lawsuit, filed by the Exonerated Five, accuses the former president of defamation in the context of a recent presidential debate, as Newsweek reports.

The legal challenge was initiated over comments made by Trump at the Sept. 10 debate against Kamala Harris in which he incorrectly stated that the Exonerated Five had pleaded guilty to murder.

This assertion has been a point of contention, as the group was previously cleared of all charges related to the Central Park jogger case.

Details of the Lawsuit and Summons at Mar-a-Lago

Officials delivered the summons to Trump's Palm Beach residence on Oct. 24 at precisely 4:10 p.m. Although Trump was campaigning across the Sun Belt states at the time, the legal proceedings pressed forward in his absence.

Trump's remarks during the debate have stirred significant public and legal backlash.

He claimed, "They admitted -- they said, they pled guilty. And I said, well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately. And if they pled guilty -- then they pled we're not guilty," which misrepresents the factual innocence proven by DNA evidence years after the Exonerated Five had served their sentences.

Trump's Campaign Dismisses Suit as Politically Motivated

Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign spokesman, quickly labeled the lawsuit as "just another frivolous, election interference lawsuit, filed by desperate left-wing activists."

He argued that the timing and nature of the lawsuit were intended to shift public focus from what he described as Kamala Harris' "dangerously liberal agenda and failing campaign."

The filing seeks damages in excess of $75,000, citing defamation, and demands a trial by jury. Trump is required to respond to the summons by Nov. 15.

Historical Context of the Central Park Jogger Case

In 1989, the Central Park jogger case grabbed national headlines leading Trump to take out a full-page ad in major newspapers advocating for the return of the death penalty in New York.

This ad has been a long-standing point of controversy in Trump's public life, especially after the exoneration of the five accused.

The Exonerated Five, who were just teenagers at the time of their arrest, served between five and 13 years in prison before their exoneration.

The real perpetrator was later identified through conclusive DNA testing, which did not match any of the five.

Yusef Salaam's Political Career and Public Response

Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, has transitioned into a role as a New York City Council member.

His political platform and public speaking often reflect his experiences and the broader implications of justice system reform.

At the Democratic National Convention, Salaam emphasized the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform, indirectly critiquing figures like Trump who continue to perpetuate falsehoods about high-profile legal cases involving racial injustice.

The ongoing legal and public disputes promise to keep this story at the forefront of national discourse, especially as the responses to the lawsuit unfold in the coming weeks.