I had hoped Nick Sandmann and family would have pushed trail to a jury vote of right or wrong. A jury had the potential to bankrupt CNN.
The only thing a judge can't overrule a jury on, is a finding of not guilty. Even then he can order a new trial on a finding of any sort of juror misconduct. Every other aspect of trial, including civil damages, can be changed by the judge. It is dirt common for a judge to reduce jury-awarded damages.