Former CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt, a central figure in a high-profile $5 million defamation case, has secured a new broadcasting role just months after leaving the network. Marquardt, 44, departed CNN in June 2025 after one of the most closely followed media lawsuits in recent years. The veteran national security journalist has joined Al Jazeera English, where he is set to begin by anchoring coverage of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations before moving into a regular role as host of the Washington-based daily news program This is America. Announcing the move on social media, Marquardt said he was “very excited” to join Al Jazeera, citing his long-standing admiration for the network’s international reporting. The appointment opens a new chapter for Marquardt after his CNN career ended in the aftermath of a defamation lawsuit filed by former U.S. Navy sailor Zachary Young, who accused the network of damaging his reputation through a November 2021 report that aired on The Lead with Jake Tapper.
Jury hears claims of black market profiteering
Young alleged that CNN’s report portrayed him as someone who had improperly profited from Afghans attempting to escape the country after the Biden administration’s military withdrawal. He argued the segment implied he was involved in “black market” activity and harmed his professional standing. Young maintained that his work involved corporate sponsors and nonprofit groups, rather than charging vulnerable Afghan civilians directly. The case proceeded to trial before a Florida jury in January 2025, with courtroom proceedings livestreamed. Over the course of two weeks, jurors heard testimony from CNN executives, producers and Marquardt, while also reviewing internal emails and editorial communications tied to the preparation of the report.
Marquardt grilled over disputed phone call
One of the trial’s most scrutinized exchanges came when Marquardt spent hours on the witness stand defending his reporting under cross-examination. A key issue centered on an on-camera moment in which Marquardt said he placed a call to Young. Young disputed that account, saying he never received such a call and alleging that the scene had been staged. Screenshots from his Signal account were presented in support of the claim that no call had been placed. Marquardt, however, testified that he called the number he believed belonged to Young.
Signal logs show no calls made
Young’s lead attorney, Vel Freedman, pressed Marquardt on the phone number and reminded him that he was testifying under oath. “Was that Mr. Young’s actual phone number or just a friend’s phone number you saved under Zachary Young’s name?” Freedman asked. Marquardt responded that it was the number he believed belonged to Young and said he had received it from CNN colleague Katie Bo Lillis, who had been texting with Young using that contact. Freedman then displayed side-by-side images of Marquardt’s and Young’s phones, focusing on where Signal would show missed calls. Neither account showed a call between the two men.
Producer directs Marquardt’s staged phone call
Freedman also played behind-the-scenes footage of Marquardt making what was described as “the call,” during which a producer could be heard directing him to step back for the camera. Marquardt testified that he let the phone ring “quite a few times” before ending the attempt because no one answered. He also acknowledged that a cameraman instructed him to hold the phone and appear as though he was listening. “I can tell you Mr. Freedman, I used the phone number that was given to me by my colleague that had been texting with Mr. Young.
Confusion over phone number persists
“As far as I knew, that phone number was Mr. Young’s because she had been successful at texting with him,” Marquardt said. He added that he later used the same number to text Young and received a response. Marquardt stood by his account, repeating that, to his knowledge, the number belonged to Young and that he called but received no answer. He also described the footage shown to jurors as a “pickup shot,” which he characterized as a standard television production technique used to capture visuals that may later be edited into a finished report.
Marquardt defends ‘theater’ remark in court
Freedman then asked for the behind-the-scenes video to resume. In the clip, Marquardt was seen gesturing and saying the word “theater” to CNN colleagues in an exaggerated British accent. Freedman noted that Marquardt had previously testified that material he considered “theater” was not included in the report. “You lied to the jury, did you not?” Freedman asked. “I did not,” Marquardt replied. Marquardt later said his “theater” remark in the footage was a reference to an old Jon Lovitz sketch from Saturday Night Live.
Marquardt defends reporting amid scrutiny
Jurors were also shown internal messages exchanged before the segment aired, including one in which Marquardt wrote to a colleague, “We’re gonna nail this Zachary Young…” The message became a repeated point of emphasis for Young’s legal team, which argued it suggested the report had been approached with a predetermined view. Marquardt rejected that interpretation during testimony. Under questioning, he acknowledged that he had found no evidence Young had committed a crime, but said he remained proud of the reporting. He also testified that he did not believe CNN’s later on-air apology to Young was necessary, though he accepted the network’s decision to issue it.
Jury prepared for massive CNN penalty
CNN senior vice president Adam Levine revealed to the jurors that the apology was merely a legal decision. After deliberating, the jury found CNN liable for defamation and awarded Young approximately $5 million in compensatory damages. Yet, before jurors could determine punitive damages, however, CNN and Young reached a confidential settlement, ending the case before a final damages verdict was delivered. The jury foreman reportedly told FOX News they were prepared to make CNN pay ‘somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million to $100 million’ in punitive damages.
Marquardt departs CNN after trial fallout
Marquardt remained at CNN for five months after the trial before announcing his departure in June 2025 following eight years at the network. While CNN declined to publicly explain his exit, citing personnel policy, many of his now-former colleagues told FOX News at the time, that it was “obviously” tied to the costly defamation case. In a post-trial interview with the outlet, Young said he hadn’t forgiven Marquardt, calling him out for remaining defiant on the witness stand at the trial. However, Young seemed to hold no grudge when asked about Marquardt’s new gig, more than a year later.
Al Jazeera bolsters U.S. reporting team
‘After a year on the sidelines, I’m glad he landed somewhere. Judging by his Twitter, Al Jazeera might be the only newsroom where his coverage and his opinions actually match,’ Young stated. Despite the controversy, Marquardt remained a respected figure among many national security reporters after years covering conflicts, terrorism and American foreign policy from around the world. His hiring signals Al Jazeera English’s continued investment in U.S.-based journalism ahead of an expanded slate of American political programming. The broadcaster has also recruited former CNN political correspondent Eva McKend as a Washington correspondent, further strengthening its U.S. bureau. The Daily Mail tried to reach Marquardt for comment.
