CNN has reportedly reached a settlement with Nick Sandmann, the Kentucky high schooler who sued the network for defamation nearly one year ago.
The complaint stemmed from a January 2019 incident in Washington, D.C., where the student was filmed face-to-face with an Omaha Tribe elder named Nathan Phillips. Sandmann and his classmates were in the nation's capital for March For Life, while Phillips was there participating in the Indigenous Peoples March. Video showed the teen wearing the infamous pro-Trump MAGA hat as he stared closely at Phillips who was beating a drum. The footage immediately went viral and was picked up a number of news outlets, including CNN.
In March 2019, Sandmann filed a $275 million defamation lawsuit against CNN, claiming the network had depicted him unfairly.
"In short, the false and defamatory gist of CNN’s collective reporting conveyed to its viewers and readers that Nicholas was the face of an unruly hate mob of hundreds of white racist high school students who physically assaulted, harassed, and taunted two different minority groups engaged in peaceful demonstrations, preaching, song, and prayer," read the suit obtained by The Wrap. "... Contrary to its ‘Facts First’ public relations ploy, CNN ignored the facts and put its anti-Trump agenda first in waging a 7-day media campaign of false, vicious attacks against Nicholas, a young boy who was guilty of little more than wearing a souvenir Make America Great Again cap while on a high school field trip to the National Mall in Washington, D.C."
The terms of settlement, reported by Fox 19, have not been revealed.
Sandmann had also sued the Washington Post and NBC Universal for $250 million and $275 million, respectively. Trial dates for these defendants have not been set.
Sandmann, who is now a senior at Covington Catholic High School, will reportedly file lawsuits against The Enquirer's parent company Gannett as well as Phillips. Fox 19 reports the plaintiff is reportedly seeking $5 million from the Omaha Tribe elder/environmental rights activist.
The teen's attorney, Lin Wood, told Fox 19 that the lawsuits will be presented to the judge within the next 60 days.
