CNN’s High-Profile Defamation Trial Is Underway—and Jurors Appear Open to 10-Figure Payout
7th January 2025
Jurors for a high-stakes defamation suit against CNN appeared open to forcing the network to dole out a 10-figure payout, the latest setback for the left-wing network as it attempts to avoid a costly—and embarrassing—conclusion to the case.
Plaintiff Zachary Young is suing CNN in a Florida court for $1 billion in damages, accusing the network and anchor Jake Tapper of falsely portraying him as an “illegal profiteer” during America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Young, a Navy veteran, says CNN damaged his reputation and destroyed his contracting company, Nemex Enterprises, in November 2021 by airing false and defamatory claims about his efforts to get Afghans out of the country as the Taliban took control.