Palin Testifies She Felt 'Powerless'

(Reuters graphic)

Sarah Palin said at her defamation trial against the New York Times on Thursday she felt "powerless" after a 2017 editorial incorrectly linked the prominent Republican to a mass shooting six years earlier, accusing the newspaper of trying to "score political points," reports Reuters.

Before both sides rested their cases, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate told jurors in Manhattan federal court that she was "mortified" after the editorial appeared to connect her to inciting murder.

"It's hard to lay your head on a pillow and have a restful night when you know that lies are told about you, a specific lie that was not going to be fixed," Palin testified under questioning from her lawyer. "That causes some stress anyone would feel."

Palin, 57, said the Times was "trying to score political points," calling the newspaper "the be-all, end-all, the loud voice in American media." Palin likened the newspaper to the biblical giant Goliath, and herself to the underdog David.

"It was devastating to read, again, an accusation, a false accusation that I had anything to do with murder, murdering innocent people," Palin said. "And I felt powerless."

Under cross-examination by Times lawyer David Axelrod, however, Palin struggled to provide specific examples about how the editorial harmed her reputation, while saying that "things changed" and many people thought less of her.

Palin testified for about 3-1/2 hours over two days, following testimony by James Bennet, a former Times editorial page editor and also a defendant in her lawsuit.

Bennet said he never intended to blame Palin or her political action committee in the disputed editorial headlined "America's Lethal Politics," which addressed gun control and the growth of incendiary political rhetoric.

After six days of testimony, closing arguments are scheduled for Friday. Jurors may begin deliberating Friday afternoon or on Monday.