CNN found liable for defaming US Navy veteran who helped people evacuate Afghanistan

A Florida jury on Friday found TV news provider CNN liable for defaming a U.S. Navy veteran who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan after the U.S. 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, Florida, state court.

A CNN representative said the network would not comment until the jury decided punitive damages.