Sarah Palin Abandons Long-Running Defamation Battle Against The New York Times

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has officially withdrawn her appeal against The New York Times, effectively concluding a high-profile, nine-year legal saga. The defamation lawsuit centered on a 2017 editorial that incorrectly linked a political map circulated by Palin’s PAC to a mass shooting in Arizona. Although the publication issued a correction within 14 hours, Palin pursued the litigation to challenge established libel standards for public figures. The case faced numerous procedural hurdles, including a controversial initial trial where the presiding judge signaled a dismissal while the jury was still deliberating.

The legal battle saw a significant turn when an appeals court ordered a retrial after discovering that jurors had received news alerts about the judge's premature dismissal during their deliberations. Despite this procedural victory, a second jury ultimately found in favor of the newspaper in April 2025. Following that loss, Palin filed a new appeal but recently opted to drop the challenge entirely. The court order confirms the withdrawal of the appeal without costs or attorney fees, though the stipulation leaves a narrow window for potential reinstatement within thirty days. Neither party has provided further explanation for the sudden conclusion of the case.