CNN defamation trial heads to jury after fiery closing arguments

Closing arguments were delivered on Thursday in the high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young against CNN, with jurors now set to deliberate on the case.

Young is suing the network over a November 2021 report aired on The Lead with Jake Tapper, alleging that CNN falsely implied he illegally profited from helping Afghans flee the country after the US military withdrawal. The segment, reported by correspondent Alex Marquardt, suggested Young was involved in “black market” operations, an allegation he says destroyed his professional reputation.

Young’s lead attorney, Vel Freedman, told jurors the report amounted to a “calculated attack” on his client’s character, accusing CNN of deliberately omitting key facts and portraying Young as a criminal.

“His pain, suffering and mental anguish transcend monetary loss,” Freedman said, adding that Young has since battled depression and panic attacks. He argued that CNN ignored evidence showing Young worked with corporate sponsors and never charged Afghans for evacuations.

Freedman also criticised CNN staff testimony that defended the use of the term “black market,” noting that a senior executive admitted the network’s on-air apology to Young was issued for legal reasons. He urged jurors to award punitive damages to hold CNN accountable and send a message to the wider media industry.

Young testified during the trial that he helped rescue at least 22 women and one baby from Afghanistan on behalf of corporate sponsors, including Bloomberg Media and Audible, but said this was excluded from CNN’s reporting.

CNN’s lead counsel, David Axelrod, countered that the network’s reporting was “tough but fair” and urged jurors to rely on “common sense.” He rejected claims of a conspiracy, argued that Young failed to prove actual damages, and said CNN made good-faith efforts to verify the story and contact Young before airing it.

Axelrod maintained that including Young’s own words in the report undermined claims of defamation, adding: “It doesn’t mean CNN defamed him.”

The jury is now expected to decide whether CNN defamed Young and, if so, whether damages should be awarded.