Zachary Young alleged CNN smeared him by implying he illegally profited when helping people flee Afghanistan on the "black market" during the Biden administration's military withdrawal from the country in 2021.

When a CNN broadcast characterised navy veteran Zachary Young as a “black market” profiteer, one of its own editors determined the story had as many holes “as Swiss cheese”.

The rare defamation trial involving a major media company could serve as a deterrent to other outlets.