A Florida jury has found CNN liable for defaming Navy veteran Zachary Young, awarding him $5 million in damages.
The jury determined that a November 2021 segment on ‘The Lead with Jake Tapper’ falsely characterized Young as an “illegal profiteer” exploiting desperate Afghans during their evacuation from Afghanistan following the US military’s disastrous withdrawal. The segment showed Young’s name and picture, claiming that he was “exploiting desperate Afghans” with “exorbitant” and “impossible” fees for his services.
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Young argued that CNN’s portrayal severely damaged his reputation and business, making it difficult for him to find work.
“The sum and substance of the segment states and implies that Young marketed evacuations directly to Afghan citizens, that he exploited Afghan citizens, and that he sold them illegal goods/services on a black market,” Young said in his lawsuit. He also alleged that the blowback from the segment caused him to lose millions of dollars in income, and left him with anxiety and panic attacks.
The jury’s decision included a separate phase to address potential punitive damages.
CNN has maintained its innocence, although it expressed regret for using the term “black market” in relation to Young’s evacuation efforts.
Young, who received sponsorships for his services, denied ever charging Afghans for evacuations.
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