Alex Marquardt, a reporter who left CNN months after his reporting was central to a defamation trial that cost the network millions, has joined Al Jazeera English. He announced his new role on social media Wednesday, expressing excitement about joining the network's Washington bureau.
Marquardt was a key figure in a defamation case brought by U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young. The trial, which took place in 2025, stemmed from a November 2021 report by Marquardt that questioned Young's conduct during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. A Florida jury found that CNN had defamed Young.
Initially, the jury awarded Young $5 million in damages. Following further proceedings, Young and CNN reached an undisclosed settlement, which is understood to involve a significantly higher payment from the network. Jurors indicated they had been prepared to award punitive damages potentially in the range of $50 million to $100 million.
CNN and Marquardt parted ways approximately five months after the trial concluded. While CNN declined to comment on "personnel matters," former colleagues suggested the departure was linked to the defamation case. Marquardt, in testimony, maintained his report was not a "hit piece" and expressed pride in his work.
An on-air apology was issued by CNN in March 2022 after Young threatened legal action. However, during the trial, Marquardt and other CNN staff testified that they did not believe the apology was warranted. CNN senior vice president Adam Levine acknowledged that the apology was a strategic legal decision.
Zachary Young, commenting on Marquardt's new role, stated he was glad the reporter had found employment after a year off. Young observed that Al Jazeera might be a place where Marquardt's reporting and opinions align with the newsroom's perspective.
Al Jazeera English, launched in 2006 as the English-language counterpart to Al Jazeera Arabic, is largely funded by the government of Qatar. Marquardt is set to host a daytime program titled "This is America."