In a significant setback for CNN host Jake Tapper and the network’s credibility, a defamation lawsuit brought by Navy veteran Zachary Young has been allowed to proceed. The lawsuit stems from coverage of the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, where Tapper accused Young of operating in the “black market” and exploiting desperate Afghans seeking refuge.
The court’s ruling, issued by Judge William S. Henry, determined that CNN’s half-hearted “correction” of its inaccurate reporting was insufficient, leaving the door open for Young to pursue punitive damages. This decision marks a notable victory for accountability in media, particularly for veterans who have been maligned by careless narratives.
During CNN’s original segment, Tapper accused Young of charging exorbitant fees to Afghans fleeing the Taliban and insinuated that his operations were illegal. Correspondent Alex Marquardt piled on, claiming Young was “exploiting” vulnerable individuals by demanding payments “beyond the reach of average Afghans.”
The accusations were damaging, painting Young—a veteran committed to helping others escape the Taliban’s brutality—as a profiteer. The backlash and damage to his reputation led him to file the defamation suit, demanding accountability for CNN’s reckless reporting.
In March 2022, Tapper issued what CNN described as a correction, but critics have argued it was little more than a token apology. “The use of the term black market in the story was in error,” Tapper admitted. “We regret the error and to Mr. Young, we apologize.”
However, Judge Henry found this correction inadequate. The apology aired only once on Tapper’s show and was not repeated during other broadcasts or posted to CNN’s online platforms or social media accounts. “The retraction/correction was not made during the other television shows in which the segment aired,” the court ruling noted. “Defendant’s representatives referred to the statement made on the Jake Tapper show as a correction rather than a retraction.”
The judge’s decision also emphasized that Young had not thrust himself into the spotlight in a way that would warrant such scrutiny. “While Young was clearly trying to advertise his services, it can hardly be said that he played a sufficiently central role or was at the forefront in being able to influence the resolution of all those unable to escape Afghanistan,” the court stated.
The ruling has sparked widespread reactions on social media. Commentators, particularly those critical of CNN’s left-leaning narratives, see this as a win for fairness and journalistic accountability. One user remarked, “🚨BREAKING: Navy veteran Zachary Young has won a number of crucial trial motions in his defamation case against far-left CNN and Jake Tapper. About time someone stood up to their smears!”
This lawsuit is a stark reminder that mainstream media’s attempts to distract from the Biden administration’s failures during the Afghanistan withdrawal could have real consequences. Instead of holding the administration accountable for the disastrous pullout, outlets like CNN appeared eager to create scapegoats—at the expense of veterans like Young.
As the legal process unfolds, this case could set a precedent for media accountability, ensuring that the reputations of those serving honorably are not destroyed by politically motivated reporting.
