Jake Tapper and CNN found guilty, must pay $5 million for defamation of Navy vet

notthebee.com ^ | Jan 17, 2025 | Harris Rigby

[airdalechief]

Every once in a while, we're given a reminder of why we wake up every day.

A Florida jury on Friday found CNN liable for defaming a Navy veteran who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan after the US military withdrew from the country in 2021.

The six-person jury said CNN had to pay damages totaling $5 million. There will be a second phase of the trial to determine any punitive damages. The verdict followed a two-week trial in Panama City, Fla., state court.

[airdalechief]

This stems from a 2022 segment of Jake Tapper's show. The host called Navy vet Zachary Young, who was evacuating people from Afghanistan, a profiteer that exploited the "tragedy" (Biden's incompetence) in Afghanistan.

The Panama City court ruled against CNN for their characterization of the veteran, leaving them on the hook for a major payout.

An additional jury decision on punitive damages is still to come.

Keep reporting that fake news, CNN! You're making people millionaires!

[Cowgirl of Justice]

Jake Tapper always looks like he smells a poot.

[airborne]

What can we expect from the punative damages ruling?

And why isn’t Tapper on the hook to pay out?

[blitz128]

Good to hear first snuffalupagus now Jake, how far can morning schmo and the view be.😂

[PGalt]

Snake (”I wish these people had a soul”) Yapper.

[Ann Archy]

He looks constipated!! THANK YOU PANAMA CITY JURY!

[Ann Archy]

THANK GOD WE STARTING SUING THESE LIARS!

[SMARTY]

These are expensive lessons for the media to learn …as they are very basic and fundamental rules of ‘journalism’ !

ALSO, they are basic, fundamental, LONG STANDING libel laws in this country. These are things any honest, professional and reputable media enterprise ought to know, right out of the gate

[USS Alaska]

THANK GOD WE STARTING SUING THESE LIARS!

Looks like cbs is trying to settle the $10 BILLION lawsuit that Trump brought against them.

He probably would win but not for that amount, but cbs is trying to get the feds to approve a sale between cbs and paramount and with this suit hanging over their heads...well pilgrim...

[FLT-bird]

This does not include punitive damages. This is only his economic losses.

[Bob434]

Ruby freeman was given $148 million! Guess some people are more special than others

[Roadrunner383]

CNN agreed to settle after the $5 million decision, but before punitive damages. The case is over, jury goes home. I’m guessing CNN made a generous enough offer that the plaintiff’s lawyers advised against waiting for the jury to decide punitive damages. The case will probably be recorded as settled and dismissed and CNN won’t legally have been found guilty of defamation.

[lurk]

$5M is just the guilty charge. The other punitive amount has not been stated yet.

The amazing thing is how resilient CNN is despite such decline in viewers and reputation.

[The Great RJ]

Soon CNN will be on the auction block and I hope Elon Musk buys it for pennies on the dollar.

[libertylover]

Good, but $5 million is not nearly enough.

[dunblak]

This was a story about a young US Navy veteran who chose a dangerous profession to help the good guys against the bad guys. His mission probably required the purchase of arms, ammunition, explosives, transport that possibly included the use of armored vehicles, decoy vehicles, planes, and most importantly, huge amounts of money for bribes and “gifts” to the bad guys. His own life was always at risk. His success may now become an inspiring book and movie. Yet, CNN, Jake Tapper, and a so-called reporter named Marquart chose to make this young American a villain. The network news organizations and the remaining daily newspapers can only be cautioned by being sued into oblivion. The moral, legitimate, and conscientious journalists will survive in a new format and they will be more responsible.

[cuz1961]