Alex Marquardt Joins Al Jazeera English After CNN Departure

Alex Marquardt, who parted ways with CNN months after a defamation trial, has secured a position at Al Jazeera English. Marquardt expressed excitement about joining the network after years of admiring its global coverage. He announced his new role via social media, marking a fresh start after a turbulent period.

“I’m very excited to be joining Al Jazeera @AJEnglish in Washington after years of watching their extraordinary coverage from around the world,” Marquardt shared.

Marquardt’s departure from CNN followed a high-profile defamation case involving U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young. In 2025, a Florida jury found CNN defamed Young in a report authored by Marquardt. The report depicted Young as exploiting vulnerable Afghans during the chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan. This led to claims of Young operating on a ‘black market.’ Young was initially awarded $5 million in damages, but a settlement followed, indicating CNN paid Young more than the initial sum.

The jury foreman shared with Fox News Digital the jury’s readiness to impose punitive damages between $50 million and $100 million. Marquardt’s departure from CNN came about five months after the trial, and former colleagues suggested it was linked to the costly lawsuit, despite CNN not commenting on personnel matters.

Marquardt will now host “This is America” on Al Jazeera English, a network funded by the Qatar government. Al Jazeera English began in 2006, expanding the reach of Al Jazeera Arabic’s coverage.

In a post-trial interview, Zachary Young revealed he hadn’t forgiven Marquardt, criticizing his demeanor during the testimony. However, Young expressed relief at Marquardt’s new opportunity at Al Jazeera, noting his opinions align with the network’s coverage.

“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 told Fox News Digital.

Marquardt received congratulatory messages from his former CNN colleagues, suggesting support despite past controversies. In court, Marquardt defended his report, refusing to label it as an attack on Young. He stated the article wasn’t intended to harm.

“I wasn’t looking to take anyone down. I didn’t take anyone down,” Marquardt testified.

CNN had issued an apology in March 2022 after Young threatened legal action, yet Marquardt maintained it was unnecessary. CNN’s senior vice president admitted the apology was a strategic legal choice.

For further information, Fox News Digital’s media editor Brian Flood can be contacted through email or Twitter.