Sarah Palin, the Republican firebrand and one-time vice presidential candidate, arrived at federal court in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday as her libel retrial against the New York Times begins.
Palin entered court just before 9 a.m. on April 15. Flanked by her legal team, she wore a bright red coat and white blouse with a black skirt, and appeared in high spirits. She told amNewYork that she feels “good.”
The former republican vice presidential candidate and governor of Alaska is continuing her libel suit against The New York Times, arguing that the outlet defamed her back in 2017. According to Palin, The New York Times falsely linked her to a mass shooting.
The editorial was penned in the wake of Virginia gun violence that wounded then House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. Following the tragedy, the publication condemned rising political rhetoric and brought up Palin’s name due to a map that was disseminated as part of political movement that showed targeted electoral districts, including that of Arizona US Rep. Gabby Giffords who was later shot, along with 18 others. Palin charges that the piece defamed her and damaged her reputation.
The New York Times later agreed that the editorial was inaccurate and said it swiftly corrected what they called an “honest mistake.”
Palin has spent almost a decade in a seesaw legal battle with the New York Times. A judge first dismissed the case before it was reinstated and ordered to go to trial in 2020.
However, the jury ruled against her and then applied for a new trial, citing several issues with the first. Now she hopes to, once again, try winning over a jury with opening statements the first day at the retail.
The 61-year-old rose to prominence in 2006 upon becoming governor of Alaska before then-Arizona Sen. John McCain made her his running mate in the 2008 presidential election. She has often scrutinized for her religious and conservative views.
