A Florida judge has made a significant ruling in favor of U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young, who is suing CNN for defamation, as the high-profile trial is set to begin next month. Young claims that CNN falsely accused him of illegally profiting from a “black market” while helping people flee Afghanistan during the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal in 2021.
Judge William Henry denied CNN’s motion for summary judgment, allowing Young to proceed with his claim for punitive damages. The judge emphasized that there was no evidence supporting CNN’s allegations that Young had committed any criminal acts, reported by Fox News. He stated, “Defendant had no evidence of illegality, and Young said he was not contracting with or taking money from individuals.” The judge further argued that CNN had aired the segment with reckless disregard for the truth, stating, “The record evidence could support a conclusion that Defendant aired and posted the pieces knowing the gist was false or with reckless disregard.”
This legal battle stems from a 2021 CNN segment on Jake Tapper’s program “The Lead,” where CNN suggested Young was involved in a black market operation, preying on vulnerable Afghans. In the segment, correspondent Alex Marquardt reported on “Afghans trying to get out of the country [who] face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success.” Despite multiple sources, CNN did not have concrete evidence linking Young to any illegal activities.
Judge Henry pointed out that the term “black market” implies criminality, yet CNN failed to clarify its shifting definition of the term. “The fundamental problem with Defendant’s arguments is that they rely on its own proffered definition of ‘black market,’ which has been a moving target,” he said, dismissing CNN’s claim that Young’s actions violated Taliban laws.
While CNN’s legal team argued that Young had “thrust himself into the controversy” by initially contacting CNN’s reporter, the judge disagreed. “A brief review of this communication does not demonstrate that Young was seeking to thrust himself into the media spotlight,” he explained. Young had simply reached out to offer his services to help evacuate people from Afghanistan.
The civil trial is set to begin on January 6 in Bay County, Florida, where Young will continue his fight for justice and compensation for the harm done to his reputation.