Sarah Palin dines out in NYC again after testing positive for COVID-19


Just two days after Sarah Palin's New York Times defamation trial was delayed because she tested positive for COVID-19, the former Alaska governor was spotted dining out in New York City again.
Palin was seen at Elio's restaurant in Manhattan on Wednesday evening, two days after she tested positive for COVID-19, Mediaite reported and CNN confirmed. She reportedly ate in an outdoor area.
On Monday, jury selection was set to begin in Palin's defamation case against the Times over an editorial referencing her, but the judge announced it would be delayed after he was informed the former governor tested positive for the coronavirus. "She is, of course, unvaccinated," the judge said. According to CNN, it isn't clear when Palin first tested positive, but she reportedly received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis on Monday.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Elio's previously received criticism after it was reported that Palin dined indoors there on Saturday, even though she's unvaccinated and New York City requires indoor dining patrons show proof of vaccination. A restaurant manager admitted to The New York Times that Palin's vaccination status wasn't checked. "We just made a mistake," manager Luca Guaitolini said. "She probably just walked in and strolled over."
Guaitolini confirmed to CNN that Palin returned to the restaurant on Wednesday, saying she came back "to apologize for the fracas around her previous visit." Guaitolini added that "in accordance with the vaccine mandate and to protect our staff, we seated her outdoors." The CDC says that those who have tested positive for COVID-19 should isolate for five days, and a spokesperson for the New York City Hall told CNN, "We hope that anybody who has COVID is isolating for their own safety and the safety of all new Yorkers and find it highly irresponsible that Sarah Palin refuses to do so."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats