Former New York Times opinion editor James Bennet broke down in tears Thursday as he apologized to Sarah Palin in federal court over a 2017 editorial that falsely linked her political action committee to violence.
The emotional moment came during Bennet’s testimony in the second trial over Palin’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, where he admitted, “I blew it.”
“I made a mistake,” he said, visibly choked up. “I did, and I do apologize to Governor Palin for this mistake.”
At one point during his second day on the witness stand, a lawyer brought him a box of tissues.
“I’m really upset, and I still am, obviously,” Bennet said, his voice cracking as he attempted to convey remorse for what he called an “honest mistake” made under deadline pressure.
He emphasized that he did not believe Palin personally placed crosshairs on the map or intended violence, saying: “There wasn’t any part of me that thought that Sarah Palin herself had drawn the crosshairs on the map or something like that.”
Bennet edited the piece, inserting language that claimed “the link to political incitement was clear.” No evidence has ever surfaced connecting the 2011 shooter to the map. While the Times corrected the editorial the next day and issued a public apology, Palin’s legal team argues that the damage had already been done — and that the correction never directly acknowledged her.
Bennet acknowledged he had added the controversial wording to the editorial without verifying the facts, trusting other editors to review it. He insisted he did not intend to suggest a direct causal relationship between Palin’s map and the 2011 shooting, but rather to comment on the broader climate of political rhetoric.
Palin remained unmoved by his display. Leaving the courtroom without acknowledging Bennet’s statement, she dismissed the apology as too little, too late. “Let’s see, how many years ago was the untruth?” she said, declining further comment.
The editorial at the center of the controversy inaccurately suggested a link between an assassination attempt on then-Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) and a map released by Palin’s PAC, which showed crosshairs over targeted congressional districts.
Palin’s attorneys are seeking to prove that the editorial was more than just a careless mistake — arguing instead that it was a deliberate attempt to assign blame and smear her reputation.
During opening statements, Palin’s lead attorney Shane Vogt said, “She was publicly blamed in one of the most influential newspapers in the world,” Vogt said. “And she was never given a proper acknowledgment of the damage that was done.”
Palin, who has kept a relatively low profile since her days as Alaska’s governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, was seen in court alongside her partner, former New York Rangers player Ron Duguay. She is expected to take the stand next week.
Palin sued the Times for defamation, initially losing the case in 2022. But the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the suit last year, citing procedural errors by Judge Jed Rakoff, who is again presiding over the retrial.
The retrial revives ongoing questions about media responsibility, editorial standards, and public trust in journalism — particularly at a time when accusations of bias and misinformation remain high.
While the Times maintains the error was unintentional and swiftly corrected, Palin’s team is challenging that narrative in hopes of holding the paper financially and publicly accountable.
The trial continues next week in Manhattan federal court, where Palin is slated to deliver her long-awaited testimony.
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Justice needs to be done. Bennett needs to pay – and pay handsomely – for his treachery!
NO SYMPATHY FOR LIARS
He knew EXACTLY what he was doing. FINE HIM BIG $$$$$ Let him cry all the way to the ATM