The matter was resolved just four hours after a Florida jury had found the network liable for defamation and awarded $5 million to security contractor Zachary Young.

CNN reached a settlement on Friday with a U.S. Navy veteran who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdrew in 2021. The settlement comes after a Florida jury awarded Zachary Young $5 million and found CNN liable for defamation when the news network accused him of charging "exorbitant prices" to get people out of the country.

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