Navy Veteran Wins $4M Defamation Case Against CNN Over Afghanistan Report

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – A Florida jury awarded U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young $4 million in damages Friday after finding CNN liable for defamation in a case stemming from a 2021 report that accused him of profiting from black market evacuations during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The jury ruled that CNN must pay Young $4 million in lost earnings and $1 in personal damages for pain and suffering. The case now moves to a second phase to determine punitive damages against the network. The verdict followed more than eight hours of deliberation after an eight-day trial marked by heated exchanges and emotional testimony.

Young, a defense contractor, alleged that CNN destroyed his reputation and business by falsely portraying him as an illegal profiteer exploiting desperate Afghans. The lawsuit centered on a November 11, 2021, segment on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” in which correspondent Alex Marquardt singled out Young, displaying his photo and claiming his company charged exorbitant fees for evacuations.

“CNN branded me as someone who was preying on desperate Afghans,” Young testified during the trial. “It destroyed my reputation and my ability to work in my field.”

Judge William S. Henry of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, who presided over the case, previously ruled that Young “did not act illegally or criminally” despite CNN’s on-air implications. The jury was instructed to consider CNN’s financial resources when determining punitive damages, with Judge Henry cautioning that any award should not “financially destroy” the network.

Internal CNN messages presented during the trial revealed staffers expressing hostility toward Young, with one calling him a “s–tbag” and another saying he had a “punchable face.” Marquardt’s message to a colleague, stating, “we’re gonna nail this Zachary Young mf—er,” was also cited as evidence of bias.

CNN issued an on-air apology in March 2022, but several staffers testified that they believed the apology was unnecessary and issued solely for legal purposes. The network’s legal team argued that Young was not a central focus of the report, but jurors disagreed, finding the segment defamatory.

Young, who became emotional on the stand, testified that he helped rescue at least 22 women from Afghanistan, a fact CNN did not report. He also said the fallout from the segment strained his marriage and led to the loss of his security clearance in 2022.

The trial included tense moments, including Judge Henry scolding CNN lead counsel David Axelrod for calling Young a “liar” during cross-examination. Axelrod later apologized after evidence showed Young had not lied about his inability to secure work following the CNN report.

The case has drawn national attention, highlighting the challenges of reporting on complex, high-stakes situations like the Afghanistan withdrawal. CNN has not yet commented on the verdict or whether it plans to appeal.