In January, CNN paid Navy Vet Zachary Young an undisclosed settlement for punitive damages after it was already ordered to pay $5 million in emotional and financial damages.
Zachary Young sued CNN for defamation over a 2021 report on his work helping Afghans during Biden's botched withdrawal.
The lawsuit against CNN stemmed from their coverage of Biden's botched Afghanistan withdrawal, which the court previously determined showcased "actual malice, express malice, and a level of conduct outrageous enough" for Plaintiff Zachary Young to seek damages.
Young, who was offering to transport Afghans out of the country to flee the Taliban in 2021, was accused by Tapper and CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt of running a "black market" scheme and exploiting "desperate Afghans" for personal gain while disregarding the dangers and circumstances surrounding the evacuation efforts.
[Source](https://www.wnd.com/2025/06/top-cnn-reporter-out-after-news-outlet-pays-u-s-navy-veteran-millions-of-dollars-for-defamation/)
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In January, CNN paid Navy Vet Zachary Young an undisclosed settlement for punitive damages after it was already ordered to pay $5 million in emotional and financial damages.
>
Zachary Young sued CNN for defamation over a 2021 report on his work helping Afghans during Biden's botched withdrawal.
>
The lawsuit against CNN stemmed from their coverage of Biden's botched Afghanistan withdrawal, which the court previously determined showcased "actual malice, express malice, and a level of conduct outrageous enough" for Plaintiff Zachary Young to seek damages.
>
Young, who was offering to transport Afghans out of the country to flee the Taliban in 2021, was accused by Tapper and CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt of running a "black market" scheme and exploiting "desperate Afghans" for personal gain while disregarding the dangers and circumstances surrounding the evacuation efforts.
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