In a heartfelt moment during a courtroom trial, James Bennet, the former New York Times editor, broke down in tears while apologizing to Sarah Palin for a 2017 editorial that she claims harmed her reputation.
The emotional apology came as Bennet testified in a libel case filed by Palin, which centers on a controversial piece he authored following the shooting of Congressman Steve Scalise.
The Editorial That Sparked the Controversy
The 2017 editorial, written by Bennet in the aftermath of Scalise’s shooting, linked Palin’s political action committee (PAC) to an atmosphere of violence.
Scalise had been shot during a congressional baseball practice by a left-wing activist, and the piece suggested that Palin’s PAC, which had previously circulated a map with crosshairs on Democratic congressional districts, contributed to the violent rhetoric that led to the shooting.
While Bennet claimed the editorial was an attempt to address a broader political issue, it angered Palin, who argued that it unfairly connected her to violence and damaged her public image.
In court on Friday, Bennet tearfully admitted that he made a mistake in publishing the piece. “I blew it,” he said, apologizing directly to Palin, “I did, and I do apologize to Governor Palin for this mistake.”
The Times Defends Itself, But the Apology Stands
The New York Times, meanwhile, is defending itself against Palin’s lawsuit, arguing that although the editorial was incorrect, it was an honest mistake and was corrected within a day of publication.
Bennet’s emotional testimony even led the judge, Jed S. Rakoff, to call a recess, noting that the former editor had offered a “heartfelt” and “moving” apology.
However, Palin was less than moved by Bennet’s apology.
When asked by reporters for her reaction, she took a skeptical stance, saying, “Let’s see, how many years ago was the untruth?” Her response highlighted the long-running nature of the controversy, as the editorial was published back in 2017, and the lawsuit has dragged on for years.
Palin’s Lawsuit and Its Long Road to Court
The case has been winding its way through the courts for several years.
Palin initially filed the libel suit in 2017, claiming the editorial had tarnished her reputation and political standing.
In February 2022, a jury had ruled against Palin, but her case was revived in 2023 by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which pointed out errors made by Judge Rakoff in the earlier proceedings.
The editorial, titled “America’s Lethal Politics,” had drawn a direct line between the violent political rhetoric surrounding Palin’s PAC and the 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in Arizona.
It argued that this environment of hostility contributed to Scalise’s shooting.
While the article still stands online today, it now includes a correction noting that no direct connection was ever established between Palin’s map and the Giffords shooting.
The Aftermath of the Controversial Article
The New York Times issued a correction in response to the backlash, admitting that the piece incorrectly stated a link between political rhetoric and the 2011 shooting.
The correction also clarified that the map in question depicted electoral districts, not individual lawmakers, beneath stylized crosshairs.
As the trial continues, Palin is scheduled to testify next week.
Her ongoing legal battle with the Times, however, highlights the ongoing friction between political figures and the media, particularly when the stakes involve reputation and the power of editorial influence.