News

Sarah Palin Defamation Suit Against New York Times Postponed After COVID Infection

capitolhilltim

Jury selection for the defamation case brought by Sarah Palin, former Vice Presidential candidate against the New York Times has already begun. The trial’s beginning has been moved to February 3, after Palin was found positive for COVID-19.

Palin’s suit against the ‘paper of record’ case stems from a 2017 editorial about a map put out prior to the 2012 midterm election by Palin’s political action committee, Sarah PAC, which targeted several vulnerable congressional districts of Democrat members of congress who had voted in favor of Obamacare.

The PAC used graphics featuring crosshairs on the map of the districts – one of which turned out to be Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, held then by Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was later shot and nearly killed.

In the lawsuit, Palin’s lawyers claim that the New York Times editorial, “falsely stated as a matter of fact to millions of people that Mrs. Palin incited Jared Loughner’s January 8, 2011, shooting rampage at a political event in Tucson, Arizona.”

RELATED: Newt Gingrich Says Some Members Of Jan 6 Committee Could Face Jail Time – Cheney, Kinzinger Fire Back 

Palin ‘Inciting’ Violence

Loughner gunned down former Rep. Giffords on November 11, 2011. The attack also left twenty other victims.

The Times had corrected the editorial that linked Palin to the violent acts involving Giffords and others, and for “mischaracterizing” the ad Palin’s PAC put out with the crosshair map.

RELATED: Bernie Sanders Claims That Democrats Have Allowed Republicans ‘To Get Away With Murder’

Reach the Top

While the Times has claimed that the statements made about Palin were “an honest mistake” that happened as a deadline drew near, in order for Palin to win the lawsuit, it must not only show the Times admitting wrongdoing, but must also prove that ethe paper acted with malice.

The legal hurdle to cross will be decided in court.

Palin was once Alaska’s governor and is known for her tendency to take on her own party. However, Palin seemed unqualified for the role of Vice President because of her media portrayal.

This view was affirmed by Katie Couric’s now-famous interview.

RELATED: House Select Committee Does Not Say When Transcript of Interview with Capitol Riot Figure Ray Epps will Be Published

Sarah Palin suggested back in August that she might challenge Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. Murkowski is currently up for reelection in 2022. Palin said of a possible primary challenge to Murkowski, “If God wants me to do it I will.”