Alex Marquardt, a journalist who departed his previous network in the months following a multi-million dollar defamation trial centered on his reporting, has accepted a new position with Al Jazeera English.
"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 on social media Wednesday, announcing his move.
Defamation Case Background
Marquardt was a central figure in a prominent defamation lawsuit filed in 2025 by U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young against him and his former employer. A Florida jury determined that the network had defamed Young, leading to a ruling that allowed Young to pursue punitive damages. This outcome stemmed from a November 2021 report by Marquardt, which characterized Young as a dubious profiteer who exploited "desperate Afghans" attempting to evacuate Afghanistan during the chaotic military withdrawal by the Biden administration. The report suggested Young was engaged in activities on a "black market."
During the trial, Marquardt asserted that his controversial report was not intended as a "hit piece" targeting Young and expressed pride in his journalistic efforts.
I wasn't looking to take anyone down. I didn't take anyone down.
Marquardt testified.
The network had issued an on-air apology in March 2022 after Young threatened legal action. However, testimony from Marquardt and several other staffers during the trial indicated they believed the apology was unnecessary. Adam Levine, then senior vice president for the network, conceded to jurors that the apology was purely a legal strategy.
Young's Reaction and New Role
In an interview conducted after the trial, Young stated he had not forgiven Marquardt, specifically criticizing his defiant posture on the witness stand. Nevertheless, more than a year later, Young appeared to harbor no ill will when asked about Marquardt's new employment.
Marquardt's announcement of his new role was met with congratulatory messages from several of his former colleagues.
At Al Jazeera English, Marquardt is set to host a daytime program titled "This is America." Al Jazeera English, which is largely financed by the government of Qatar, launched in 2006 as the English-language counterpart to Al Jazeera Arabic.
