A jury sided with the liberal New York Times in her defamation lawsuit after just two hours of deliberation. Despite the hopes of conservatives to hold the mainstream media accountable for false and damaging claims, Palin’s legal battle ended in disappointment, underscoring the deep divide between the media and conservative figures.
Liberal Media Escapes Accountability for False Claims About Palin
The swift verdict marks the second time Palin has lost a lawsuit against the Times over a 2017 editorial that falsely linked her political action committee (PAC) to the 2011 shooting of Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The editorial, published after a shooting at a congressional baseball practice, falsely claimed Palin’s PAC had circulated a map placing Giffords in crosshairs before her shooting. Despite the Times’ admission that they published inaccurate information, the paper’s lawyers successfully argued that the mistake didn’t meet the legal standard of “actual malice” required for public figures to win defamation cases.
While the Times corrected the editorial within 14 hours, acknowledging there was no proven link between Palin’s rhetoric and the shooting, the damage to her reputation had already been done, particularly across liberal social media.
The Legal Barrier That Protects the Left-Wing Media
Palin’s legal team argued that former Times editorial page editor James Bennet acted with “reckless disregard” by publishing false claims about her without verifying the facts. However, the legal standard set in New York Times v. Sullivan made it exceedingly difficult for Palin to win the case. This precedent, which requires a showing of “actual malice,” offers media outlets extraordinary protection, even when they spread false information about public figures.
Sarah Palin's Case Wrapped Up: Jury Finds for New York Timeshttps://t.co/zByLXkx77v
— RedState (@RedState) April 22, 2025
The case highlighted a double standard in how conservative figures are treated by the media. Many conservatives view these repeated losses as part of a broader pattern of hostile media treatment against right-leaning voices.
Conservative Voices Struggle Under Media Double Standards
During the trial, Palin testified that the editorial led to increased death threats against her and her family, a consequence that many argue was exacerbated by the Times’ reckless publishing of false claims. Despite the emotional toll, Palin remained resolute, telling reporters: “I get to go home to a beautiful family of five kids and grandkids and a beautiful property and get on with life. And that’s nice.”
The Times celebrated the verdict as a win for the liberal media, with spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha declaring, “This reaffirms an important tenet of American law: publishers are not liable for honest mistakes.” Many conservatives, however, see this outcome as further evidence of the mainstream media’s bias against right-leaning figures.
Palin’s legal team is considering another appeal, and for conservatives, this ongoing fight for accountability is far from over. The case only reached trial after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived it, citing flaws in the original trial where a judge dismissed Palin’s claims before the jury could deliberate.
Sources:
Jury finds ‘The New York Times’ did not libel former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin
Jury finds NY Times not liable in Sarah Palin defamation case | Reuters
Sarah Palin’s Case Wrapped Up: Jury Finds for New York Times – RedState