This matter isn't about whether the defamer was a hero or served his country or the widow deserves sympathy or whether we like or dislike Ventura.

In winning the verdict, Ventura had to overcome a very substantial burden as a public figure in a libel case, and demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the alleged defamer not only published a falsehood, but did so with malice, meaning that he knew it was false or acted in such reckless disregard of the truth.

Moreover, Ventura established actual damages as a result of the defamatory statements. The jury found that Ventura was precluded from money making appearances and endeavors as a celebrity, based on the defamation. As FF pointed out, Kyle's defamatory stories were incessantly spread by FOXNews, which increased awareness and sales of his book while further damaging the reputation and livelihood of Ventura.