A jury is deliberating the outcome of a defamation lawsuit filed by Navy veteran Zachary Young against CNN. Young claims the network damaged his reputation and business by insinuating he was illegally profiting from evacuating Afghans during the 2021 withdrawal. The case centers around a CNN segment aired on "The Lead with Jake Tapper," where correspondent Alex Marquardt reported on "desperate Afghans" facing a "black market" for evacuation. The report highlighted Young's company's fees, implying he was exploiting the situation. Young maintains he acted legally and that CNN's reporting misrepresented his actions.

After nearly six hours of deliberation on Thursday, jurors requested to continue Friday morning. The judge, who had encouraged them to work late, ultimately dismissed them for the night. The trial has spanned eight days and follows over three years of legal proceedings. The court has already ruled that Young's actions were not illegal or criminal.

The 2021 CNN segment featured Marquardt detailing exorbitant fees demanded for evacuations. He specifically named Young's company and the prices it charged, framing them as unaffordable for most Afghans. CNN also aired a clip of an anonymous individual who couldn't afford evacuation, seemingly to contrast with Young's pricing. Young's legal team argues this portrayal implied he was part of a black market operation, severely impacting his career as a defense contractor.

Internal CNN communications revealed during the trial exposed hostility towards Young among some staffers. One message from Marquardt indicated a desire to "nail" Young. Young testified that he helped rescue numerous women, a detail omitted from CNN's reporting. A CNN editor also expressed concerns about the report's accuracy in internal messages.

While CNN issued an on-air apology in 2022, several CNN employees testified that they believed it was unnecessary and motivated by legal strategy. The trial also saw the judge reprimand CNN's lead counsel for calling Young a liar after evidence contradicted the claim.