Navy veteran Zachary Young has filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN, alleging the network's reporting falsely portrayed him as an "illegal profiteer" exploiting Afghans during the 2021 evacuation. Young's legal team argues that CNN prioritized sensationalism over accuracy, damaging his reputation and business. The trial is taking place in Bay County, Florida, with Judge William S. Henry presiding. Young's attorney, Kyle Roche, contends that CNN knowingly fabricated a story about Young charging exorbitant fees to evacuate Afghans, despite lacking evidence. Roche highlighted internal CNN communications that allegedly reveal the network's disregard for the truth in pursuit of higher ratings. He emphasized that Young's actions were legal and that he had been hired by American companies like Audible and Bloomberg to facilitate the safe evacuation of their personnel.
Young, a former CIA operative, maintains he legally evacuated 22 women from Afghanistan for these corporations. Roche pointed to internal CNN skepticism about the story before it aired, quoting employees who described it as having "more holes than Swiss cheese." He urged the jury to hold CNN accountable for what he called "reckless journalism." CNN's lead counsel, David Axelrod, countered that the network's reporting was "tough and fair" and did not imply any criminal activity by Young. Axelrod screened the CNN segment in question, arguing that it accurately reflected Young's actions and used only his own words. He encouraged the jury to carefully review the segment and see for themselves that the reporting was factual. Axelrod also argued that much of the segment wasn't even focused on Young.
The trial began with Young testifying about his background. The case continues, with the jury tasked to decide whether CNN's reporting constituted defamation.
