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4mo ago

Jury Rules New York Times Did Not Defame Sarah Palin in Retrial

The verdict marks Palin’s second trial loss in her defamation suit over a 2017 editorial linking her PAC to the 2011 Arizona shooting.

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.
Sarah Palin arrives at the U.S. District Court in downtown Manhattan on April 21, 2025. Photo: BG048/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Overview

  • A federal jury in Manhattan found the New York Times not liable for defaming Sarah Palin in a retrial of her 2017 lawsuit.
  • The lawsuit centered on a Times editorial that falsely linked Palin's PAC to the 2011 Arizona mass shooting involving Gabby Giffords.
  • The Times issued a correction 14 hours after publication, acknowledging the error and denying any intent of malice.
  • Palin argued the editorial caused reputational harm, but the jury deliberated for just over two hours before rejecting her claims.
  • The case reignited debates over the 'actual malice' standard established by New York Times v. Sullivan, which protects publishers from liability for honest mistakes.