In the latest embarrassment for left-leaning media giant CNN, its top chief national security correspondent was pushed out of the network amidst a $5 million defamation lawsuit.
The exit follows an explosive trial that revealed Alex Marquardt’s private messages vowing to “nail” the veteran who was helping evacuate Americans from Afghanistan during Biden’s catastrophic withdrawal.
U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young secured a major victory against CNN’s fake news machine when a Florida jury found the network liable for defamation in a 2021 report by Marquardt.
The controversial segment, which aired on Jake Tapper’s program “The Lead,” falsely accused Young of exploiting Afghans during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan that left 13 American service members dead.
Internal messages revealed during the trial exposed Marquardt’s true intentions when he wrote: “We gonna nail this Zachary Young mf—er.”
This shocking evidence convinced jurors that CNN’s reporting was driven by malice rather than facts, leading to an initial $5 million damage award to Young.
Following the damning verdict, CNN reached an undisclosed settlement with Young before punitive damages could be calculated, likely costing the network significantly more than the initial $5 million award.
Shortly thereafter, Marquardt was shown the door, though CNN attempted to frame his departure as being due to vague “editorial differences.”
“Obviously, the court case is a core reason why, that is obvious,” one CNN insider admitted about Marquardt’s departure.
Given the context, the mainstream media’s dishonest reporting on Young was particularly egregious.
While Biden was presiding over America’s humiliating retreat from Afghanistan, Young was working to help evacuate Americans and allies left behind by the administration’s failed withdrawal plan.
Instead of praising his efforts, CNN chose to smear him.
Moreover, evidence presented during the trial showed that CNN deliberately ignored information contradicting their predetermined narrative about Young.
This pattern of behavior has fueled criticism from President Trump about CNN’s longstanding bias against conservatives and anyone who challenges the liberal establishment’s preferred narratives.
Despite the jury’s clear finding of malice in Marquardt’s reporting, CNN continued to defend him after the verdict, claiming in a statement:
“We remain proud of our journalists and are 100% committed to strong, fearless and fair-minded reporting at CNN.”
After facing significant legal pressure, the network only issued an on-air apology in March 2022.
Marquardt’s departure followed what CNN described as a “post-settlement ethics compliance review,” suggesting the network found additional problematic behavior beyond what was revealed in court.
Meanwhile, Young’s victory stands as a rare example of accountability in an industry where mainstream media outlets routinely smear conservatives and military veterans without consequence.
Ultimately, the case represents a growing trend of Americans fighting back against fake news through the legal system, with increasing success.
As more journalists face consequences for deliberately misleading reporting, perhaps networks like CNN will think twice before pushing false narratives to advance their political agenda at the expense of truth and American patriots.
