A Florida jury found CNN liable for defaming Navy veteran Zachary Young, awarding him $4 million in lost earnings and $1 million for personal damages. The jury's decision came after over eight hours of deliberation and affirmed Young's claim that CNN damaged his reputation and business. The case stemmed from a 2021 CNN report that insinuated Young was illegally profiting from evacuating Afghans during the U.S. military withdrawal. While the jury determined punitive damages were warranted, a settlement was reached between Young and CNN before the amount was decided. The specific settlement amount remains confidential, although an expert witness had suggested $150 million as a fair penalty for CNN.

Young's lawsuit centered on a report by CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt, which aired on "The Lead with Jake Tapper." The report featured Young's image and discussed his company's fees for evacuations, framing the activities as part of a "black market" exploiting desperate Afghans. Young argued that this portrayal falsely depicted him as an illegal profiteer, leading to significant professional repercussions, including the loss of a defense contract. The court previously ruled that Young's actions were not illegal or criminal, contradicting the implications in CNN's reporting.

During the trial, internal CNN communications revealed hostility towards Young among some staff members, with messages calling him derogatory names and celebrating the prospect of "nailing" him. Testimony also highlighted concerns within CNN about the report's accuracy, with one editor describing it as "full of holes like Swiss cheese." Furthermore, the authenticity of a phone call portrayed in the segment, in which Marquardt purportedly attempted to contact Young, was questioned, with the plaintiff suggesting it was staged. Although CNN issued an on-air apology in 2022, some CNN employees testified that they didn't believe it was necessary and that it was primarily for legal reasons. Young, who became emotional during his testimony, revealed he had rescued numerous women from Afghanistan, a detail omitted from CNN's coverage.