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2w ago

Jury Rules New York Times Did Not Defame Sarah Palin in 2017 Editorial

A Manhattan jury found the newspaper not liable in Palin's retrial, reaffirming the 'actual malice' standard for public figure defamation cases.

Sarah Palin listens as Ross Douthat (not seen) testifies during Palin's retrial lawsuit accusing the New York Times of defaming the former Alaska governor and Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate in an editorial, at Manhattan federal court in New York City, U.S., April 21, 2025 in a courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg
Sarah Palin listens as Ross Douthat testifies during Palin's retrial lawsuit accusing the New York Times of defaming the former Alaska governor and Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate in an editorial, at Manhattan federal court in New York City, U.S., April 21, 2025 in a courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin leaves Manhattan federal court, after testifying in her defamation trial against the New York Times on Monday, April 21.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin leaves Manhattan Federal Court, in New York City, on April 14, 2025.

Overview

  • The jury deliberated for just over two hours before concluding that The New York Times did not defame Sarah Palin in a 2017 editorial linking her PAC to a mass shooting.
  • The retrial was ordered after a 2024 appellate decision vacated the original 2022 verdict due to procedural errors, including juror notifications.
  • The editorial at the center of the case incorrectly suggested a link between Palin's PAC and the 2011 Tucson shooting that severely injured Rep. Gabby Giffords, which the Times corrected within 14 hours.
  • Palin and her legal team argued the editorial caused lasting harm, while the Times maintained the error was an honest mistake under deadline pressure.
  • The case has been closely watched for its potential implications on the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan precedent, which sets a high bar for public figures to prove defamation.