Jury Seated in Sarah Palin’s Libel Case Against NYT/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal jury has been selected for the retrial of Sarah Palin’s libel lawsuit against The New York Times. Palin claims a 2017 editorial falsely linking her to a mass shooting damaged her reputation. The case resumes after an appeals court reinstated the lawsuit following trial errors in the 2022 proceedings.
Sarah Palin Libel Retrial Begins: Quick Looks
- Jury Seated: Selection wrapped up in under an hour
- Opening Statements: Scheduled to begin Tuesday morning in Manhattan
- Case Background: Palin suing over 2017 editorial linking her rhetoric to mass shooting
- NYT’s Defense: Acknowledges error but calls it an “honest mistake”
- Appeals Court Reversal: Prior verdict tossed due to judicial errors in original trial
- Trial Duration: Expected to last up to two weeks
- Broader Context: Comes amid Trump-era lawsuits against media outlets
- NYT Statement: Claims Palin wasn’t the editorial’s focus and error was quickly corrected
Jury Seated in Sarah Palin’s Libel Case Against NYT
Deep Look
NEW YORK — A federal jury was selected Monday to hear former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s libel lawsuit against The New York Times. The case, originally dismissed mid-trial in 2022, has returned to court after an appellate ruling that the dismissal improperly undercut the jury’s role.
Opening statements are set for Tuesday, and the trial is scheduled to run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. It is expected to last up to two weeks.
The Libel Claim
At the heart of the lawsuit is a 2017 editorial by The New York Times that erroneously linked a 2011 mass shooting in Arizona to Palin’s political rhetoric. The editorial suggested that Palin’s PAC had contributed to the violence by publishing a map with crosshairs over Democratic districts — including that of then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded in the attack.
The Times quickly issued a correction, acknowledging the error. Nonetheless, Palin sued, arguing that the editorial defamed her and damaged her career and public image.
“That reference was an unintended error, and quickly corrected,” said New York Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander. “We’re confident we will prevail.”
Courtroom Comedy and Serious Stakes
Judge Jed S. Rakoff, presiding over the case in Manhattan, offered his characteristic wit during jury selection. “Complete unknowns, I’m sure,” he quipped about the litigants — Palin and The New York Times — drawing light laughter from the courtroom.
Rakoff previously dismissed the case mid-trial in 2022, ruling Palin hadn’t proven the high legal standard of “actual malice” required in defamation cases involving public figures. However, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that dismissal, citing several procedural errors including:
- Improper exclusion of evidence
- Incorrect jury instructions
- A flawed response to a jury question
Rakoff, candidly reflecting on the appeals court’s critique, admitted Monday that revisiting their opinion was “painful.”
Media Lawsuits in the Trump Era
The case comes as President Donald Trump and his allies continue to wage legal battles against major news organizations. Recent lawsuits include:
- $20 billion suit against CBS News over editing a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris
- Defamation claims against the Des Moines Register for an inaccurate poll
- A now-settled lawsuit against ABC News for misreporting Trump’s legal liability in the E. Jean Carroll case
These efforts reflect a broader Republican strategy to challenge mainstream media narratives, using the courts as a tool for political messaging.
“This trial doesn’t just test the limits of press freedom — it mirrors the broader political push against the media,” said one legal observer.
What’s Next in the Trial
Palin’s legal team, led by Kenneth G. Turkel, did not comment after jury selection. But in earlier filings, they argued that The Times “acted recklessly” and “knew the claim was false when it was published.”
The trial will now examine:
- Whether The New York Times acted with actual malice
- If Palin’s reputation suffered measurable harm
- Whether the editorial’s correction was timely and sufficient
The jury’s verdict could have significant implications for press protections, especially when covering controversial public figures. The outcome could also set precedent in how courts evaluate media accountability in the digital age.
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