The slander case against CNN, which appeared to destroy CNN’s situation, was apparently “intently listening” to the information presented on Tuesday.
The jury is” clearly listening intently,” according to Fox News ‘ Brian Flood, and Nicholas Fondacaro from the Bay County courthouse, according to Nicholas Fondacaro, of Media Research Center.
Young sued CNN, alleging that a” The Direct with Jake Tapper” episode erroneously accused him of exploiting Afghans by arranging for “black market” emergency after the devastating 2021 removal. Fresh claimed that he used his contacts and skills to assist businesses and nonprofits in evacuating people. Importantly, a judge agreed that Young did little illegal. Young is seeking punitive damage.
Data Establishes Young May Lose His Contract If He Participated In” Black Market” Operation.
Young’s alleges that CNN’s section “rendered Young completely unemployable” and caused” Young to endure millions of dollars in lost money” because the section “associated” Fresh with “black areas” via its chyron. Young’s group argues the phrase “black market” implies wicked or unlawful conduct– which was explicitly prohibited in his protection contracts.
CNN’s attorney, David Axelrod, argued in an opening statement Tuesday that the use of the “black market” chyron did not refer to illegitimate activity but more” secret” procedures to help remove Afghans.
But such a phrase — “black market” — was explicitly stated as being prohibited conduct in a deal between Young and DynCorp International, which is a U. S. defense contractor. The deal, presented to jurors on Tuesday, showed Young did get fired and lose severance if he engaged in any “dishonest, irresponsible, unethical or false conduct”— including engagement with “black market” operations.
One provision discussed ethical behavior, reputation, and following host-country law. If Young engaged in “any dishonest, unethical, immoral, or fraudulent conduct or any gross misconduct that discredits or causes harm to the]DynCorp International ] then he would not be entitled to severance under the terms of the contract. Another rule mandated that Young adhere to the laws of the “host country” — Saudi Arabia, regarding matters like involvement with the “black market.” Young claimed that “black market” activities are prohibited in Saudi Arabia, the same phrase CNN used in their chyron in their interview with Young.
” This is a defense contractor that does a lot of sensitive work, so their reputations are very, very important for these big companies”, Young testified. ” These companies have a reputation so they don’t want anyone involved in any crimes, involved in any dishonest, unethical, fraud …”
[READ NEXT: Here Are The Best Moments From The CNN Defamation Trial Jury Selection]
CNN ‘ Inadvertently’ Didn’t Turn Over Evidence
Until a Fox News Digital report revealed it, CNN allegedly did not turn over evidence that was unknown to both CNN and Young’s team.
In a teaser that first aired in 2021, Tapper tells viewers a tale about “desperate Afghans still trying to flee the country who are being preyed on by people demanding they pay a lot of money to leave,” as reported by Fox News. Later, Tapper “reminded viewers that the story about “desperate Afghans” being “preyed upon” was up next,” according to Fox News.
During Tuesday’s lunch break, Young’s team informed the presiding judge that CNN failed to turn over video footage of Tapper promoting the “black market” segment on air.
Young’s attorneys sparred in the courtroom over the evidence, with CNN’s lawyer telling Young’s defense:” If you knew what you were looking for you could have found it”.
Young’s lawyer shot back: “CNN didn’t know about it’s own videos, it’s news to CNN that they created these videos. We are at fault for not understanding that they broke the fundamental discovery obligations. We shouldn’t have to audit CNN’s website or transcripts to make sure they’re complying with discovery process”.
CNN’s attorneys defended themselves, arguing:” It was inadvertent that we didn’t produce it”, and that they” just didn’t know about it”.
The judge decided that the teaser could be shown to the jury, but that cross-examination of the video would not be permitted.
Jurors reportedly “receptive” to young telling a CNN source to” f*ck off”
Toward the end of Tuesday’s hearing, jurors were shown a series of text messages between Young and Jill Kornetsky, a CNN source.
Young is mentioned in the messages telling Kornetsky to get in touch with him if she knows of Afghan refugees in need of evacuation.
” It’s not free though we don’t have a’ non-profit’ standing behind us fleecing]donors ]”, Young said in a message to Kornetsky. ( Young had previously testified about the costs of evacuations ).
Young was allegedly called a mercenary and that Kornetsky had made a profit, according to Kornetsky’s appearance. Young told the court he took offense to the term “mercenaries”. Kornetsky also claimed that Young was taking a” cut,” before claiming that Young’s evacuation costs” sound more like a retirement plan than a mission of mercy.”
Young is shown explaining the cost breakdown before eventually telling Kornetsky to” f*ck off” according to the evidence.
Fondacaro reported the “jury seems receptive to Young’s message of ‘ f*ck off’ to Kornetsky…”
Young also said he doesn’t have to defend his evacuation costs to a” spiteful b*tch on Linked In”.
Young told the jurors he” shouldn’t have” said what he said.
The Federalist’s election correspondent, Brianna Lyman. With a degree in International Political Economy, Brianna received her degree from Fordham University. Her work has been featured on Newsmax, Fox News, Fox Business and RealClearPolitics. Follow Brianna on X: @briannalyman2
