It’s one of those times that the words “reportedly” and “allegedly” have to be used repeatedly. Stick with me and we’ll try to sort the reportable fact from the rumor. Then you can make your own decision.
According to the Anchorage Daily News, a news outlet that does not have a reputation for tabloid sensationalism, the Palin clan was in attendance at a party in Anchorage on Saturday.
Anchorage Police Department spokesperson Jennifer Castro wrote, “A preliminary investigation by police revealed that a party had been taking place at a nearby residence and a fight had broken out between multiple subjects outside of the residence. None of the involved parties wanted to press charges at the time of the incident and no arrests were made at the scene. Alcohol was believed to have been a factor in the incident. Some of the Palin family members were in attendance at the party.”
The fight was characterized by police as a “verbal and physical altercation” in which about 20 people were involved. By most definitions, that would be called a “brawl”.
That’s what we know from the police.
The Anchorage Daily News also reports that a neighbor of the party’s hosts, one Charles Fryer, attended the party. He described the event as a joint birthday party for four people, including Todd Palin, Sarah Palin’s husband.
According to Fryer, as reported in the Anchorage Daily News, the fight occurred around 11 p.m., and was a dog pile “just like you see in a football game.”
Here is where the “allegedly” and “reportedly” stuff starts.
According to Alaska journalist and blogger Amanda Coyle, the details look more like … well, let’s just get it straight from Coyne.
“A nice, mellow party, until the Palin’s show up. There’s beer, of course, and maybe other things. Which is all fine, but just about the time when some people might have had one too many, a Track Palin stumbles out of a stretch Hummer, and immediately spots an ex-boyfriend of Willow’s. Track isn’t happy with this guy, the story goes. There’s words, and more. The owner of the house gets involved, and he probably wished he hadn’t. At this point, he’s up against nearly the whole Palin tribe: Palin women screaming. Palin men thumping their chests. Word is that Bristol has a particularly strong right hook, which she employed repeatedly, and it’s something to hear when Sarah screams, “Don’t you know who I am!” And it was particularly wonderful when someone in the crowd screamed back, “This isn’t some damned Hillbilly reality show!” No, it’s what happens when the former First Family of Alaska comes knocking. As people were leaving in a cab, Track was seen on the street, shirtless, flipping people off, with Sarah right behind him, and Todd somewhere in the foreground, tending to his bloody nose.”
Coyne has written two follow-ups to that gossip piece. In one she claims to have confirmation of the incident. In the other she has an eyewitness.
“I have confirmed from multiple sources that Bristol punched someone repeatedly, and that charges might be filed. I spoke to a source yesterday who witnessed part of it. She said that some in the crowd were trying to restrain Sarah, who was clawing to get involved in the fight, which had moved to the cul-de-sac outside of the house. She was also screaming loudly. She wore platform high-tops with the American flag on them, and Bristol wore big, round shades. As I reported, Track was at some point in the night, shirtless.”
On her Facebook page, Sarah Palin posted that she was “traveling” on Saturday, when the party took place.
According to the Anchorage Daily News, a commenter on Palin’s post, one Kimberley Vranckaert-Trujillo, claimed to have been a witness to the brawl.
“Interesting. … pretty sure you were not traveling and you and family were on the Southside causing chaos. Saw it happen. Don’t fib.”
Her comment has since been removed from the post.
So, there it is, folks. The facts and the rumors as they lie today, complete with Sarah Palin allegedly screaming “Do you know who I am?!” and someone reportedly responding, “This isn’t some damned Hillbilly reality show!”
As one commenter on Coyne’s blog said, “I’m sure that there just has to be video on someone’s phone somewhere. Fingers crossed that it comes to the surface soon.”
