In a significant legal development, CNN has lost a key ruling in a defamation lawsuit brought by U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young, stemming from a 2021 segment on The Lead with Jake Tapper.
The lawsuit centers on accusations made by CNN that Young profited illegally during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal under the Biden-Harris administration. However, Judge William S. Henry ruled this week that the network’s claims were a “bridge too far” and that Young did not act criminally or illegally, clearing a major hurdle in the case.
The dispute began after a November 11, 2021, segment in which Tapper and investigative reporter Alec Marquardt alleged that Young was exploiting desperate Afghans trying to flee the country by charging them exorbitant fees for evacuation services.
CNN claimed Young’s company was part of a “black market” operation, charging as much as $75,000 to transport Afghans to Pakistan and $14,500 to send them to the United Arab Emirates. The segment portrayed him as an opportunist taking advantage of an already tragic situation, exploiting vulnerable people at a time of chaos.
Young, who denies these claims, filed suit against the network, stating that the report “destroyed his reputation and business by branding him an illegal profiteer.” His lawsuit asserts that CNN’s portrayal not only misrepresented his efforts but also painted him as a criminal without any evidence to support the claims.
Judge Henry’s ruling was highly critical of CNN’s reporting. The court noted that CNN provided no evidence that Young had violated any law, let alone acted under the restrictions of Sharia law, which the network suggested in its reporting.
In fact, the judge pointed out that the Taliban’s travel restrictions were not formally adopted until 2024, long after the Afghanistan evacuation and the CNN segment. Furthermore, CNN’s own corporate representative admitted that the investigation did not uncover any illegal or criminal activity committed by Young, undermining the network’s central accusation.
While CNN did use the term “black market” in the broadcast, Judge Henry noted that the network did not explicitly label Young as a black-market operator. However, given that Young was the only individual named and pictured in the segment, the court found it plausible that viewers could reasonably conclude that the report implied Young’s involvement in illicit activities. This ambiguity in the reporting leaves room for interpretation, which will be further explored during the civil trial.
The upcoming trial, scheduled for January 6, 2025, in Bay County, Florida, builds on an earlier ruling from 2023 in which Judge Henry granted a decision in Young’s favor. With CNN facing further scrutiny over its reporting, the trial is expected to focus on whether the network’s portrayal of Young crossed the line into defamation.
