Given her lasting political career and the former head of state’s approval, it’s unsurprising to think, “Is Sarah Palin in Trump’s cabinet? 

Sarah Palin has served in many positions, starting from 1992 when she beat Jon Hartrick to claim a slot in Wasilla city council.

However, her most recognizable assignments started with being Alaska’s ninth governor for four years from 2006 through 2009. 

She also made history in 2008, becoming the Republican’s first female vice-president nominee as John McCain eyed the presidency.

While you probably know McCain and her lost the race to Obama and Biden in 2008, you may wonder what she’s up to lately.

So, Is Sarah Palin in Trump’s cabinet?

No, Sarah Palin is not in Trump’s cabinet as the latter is no longer in office. Although considered for a position in 2016, she didn’t make it to the former president’s cabinet.

Nevertheless, the two have remained cordial for years. Their friendship makes Palin a potential candidate to join Trump’s cabinet should he win the next election.

Continue reading for interesting details about Sarah Palin’s political history and relationship with Donald Trump.

What Is The Connection Between Trump And Sarah Palin?

Palin and Trump are still friends after many years because of their similar beliefs and manners. During her presidential campaign in 2008 with McCain, she publicly disagreed with some of the Republican messages.

Firstly, she disapproved of the party’s media campaign strategy, a move that wasn’t received warmly by many Republicans. Additionally, some supporters didn’t appreciate her hefty exploitation of campaign resources.

According to reports, her expenditure surpassed $150,000, including a Neiman Marcus shopping spree of $75,000. She also criticized the media, claiming they were out to get her.

These claims hold some weight as a study showed she received twice as much media coverage as the opposing vice presidential candidate, Biden. Moreover, her general portrayal in the press differed from that of Biden.

While Palin often appeared on topics addressing family, social issues, and physical appearance, most of Biden’s touched on the economy and foreign policy.

She also didn’t agree with the party’s decision to pull resources and staff from Michigan in favor of more favorable regions like Maine and Pennsylvania.

Besides “going rogue,” as dabbed by a Republican aide, she defended her actions in a similarly-titled memoir, stating that no one owned her.

Why Did Sarah Palin Endorse Trump?

Many were caught off guard in January 2016 when Sarah Palin joined Team Trump over Ted Cruz, her former buddy. 

While she wasn’t at the top of the game like in 2008, she still had some sway with anti-establishment voters eyed by Trump and Cruz.

Cruz said he was still a big fan of the former Alaska governor even after this endorsement, though his spokesperson, Ricky Tyler, thought otherwise.

Tyler commented that he’d be disappointed if he was Palin. He mentioned she endorsed someone with progressive views, ditching the conservative cause she’d championed.

Sarah Palin endorsed Trump because he was the only candidate who voiced the displeasure of millions of Americans concerning a deteriorating economy. She also liked his interest in equal success opportunities for all Americans.

Additionally, Palin agreed with Trump’s immigration policies that banned Muslims from entering the US. She said that Trump would kick ISIS’ butt.

What Position Was Sarah Palin Considered For In Trump’s Government?

During the endorsement, Trump stated he’d love to have the former Alaska governor in his government. 

On the other hand, Palin said she wanted to be the energy secretary in Trump’s government, but she seems to have shifted her focus over time.

Palin later voiced her interest in helping Trump’s 2016 government in either the public or private sector. Although Trump’s transition officials didn’t disclose the positions she would be considered for, her son-in-law’s Facebook post gives a hint.

In the 2016 post, the son-in-law, Meyers, proposed Palin as an advocate for America’s veterans, a position that was vacant then. Furthermore, her adviser noted that her veteran advocacy efforts were a career-long endeavor.

They said she understood the need to appreciate the work of past and current service members and was proud to support a candidate dedicated to honoring veterans.

Who Made It To Trump’s Cabinet?

Trump’s cabinet in 2017 consisted of 33 members, 10 of whom were appointed without requiring Senate confirmation. 

Although chosen to serve in Labor and National Security Adviser positions, respectively, Andrew Puzder withdrew while Michael Flynn resigned.

Here’s a full list of the Senate as of May 11th, 2017.

What Was Sarah Palin Doing Since 2017?

A defamation lawsuit first tabled in June 2017 overshadowed most of Palin’s other undertakings after endorsing Trump for the presidency. 

Palin’s lawsuit claimed that the New York Times had defamed her and suggested that she was partly to blame for Gabrielle Giffords’ injuries.

The editorial had linked a map circulated by the former Alaska governor’s political committee covering targeted electoral districts and Jared Loughner’s 2011 mass shooting. 

The maps had stylized crosshairs marked over Democrat-held congressional districts, including Giffords.

However, the Times corrected themselves, stating that the crosshair depicted electoral districts rather than Democratic lawmakers. 

During a hearing, former Times editor James Bennet stated that the piece didn’t aim to blame Palin but to highlight the heated political rhetoric.

Judge Jed Rakoff ruled in favor of Times in August 2017, stating that Palin’s team failed to identify “actual malice.” 

A court of appeal reinstated the lawsuit in 2019, citing an error by the district court in deciding on the lawsuit dismissal rather than for the pleadings.

The case’s 2022 hearing presented to a nine-member jury also ruled unanimously in the Times’ favor. 

The former Alaska governor doesn’t seem to be letting the case go that easy as she contacted the Second Circuit in November 2023, hoping to revive it a third time.

Did Sarah Palin Return to Elective Politics?

Sarah hinted at her comeback to elective politics in 2021 and tried her luck in Alaska again with Trump’s backing in 2022. 

While endorsing Palin for the House of Representatives position, Trump highlighted that she lifted the McCain presidential campaign “out of the dumps.”

Trump further said Palin had championed the state’s values, energy, jobs, and great people. He also called her a tough and smart politician and a “wonderful patriot.”

Another politician who endorsed Pulin was Nikki Haley, a sort of repayment for the former’s endorsement while Haley ran for South Carolina governor.

Who Did Sarah Palin Lose to in Alaska Election?

Despite the powerful backing, Palin failed to win the highly-contested position with 50 other candidates. Palin came second with 48.5%, behind Democrat Mary Peltola with 51.5% based on a ranked-choice voting system.

Her comeback bid hit a wall for the second time three months later, losing to Peltola again. This time, the margin grew from 3% to 10%, with Peltola at 55%.

Is Sarah Palin Still Interested in Elective Politics?

Losing the Alaska house race didn’t crush Palin’s desire for a political comeback. In a February 2023 interview, the former Republican vice president nominee said she’d love a second shot at the presidency alongside Trump.

Palin said that Trump needed someone with nothing to lose like him. She highlighted that the running mate should be someone who has passed through “the wringer” and knows what they are doing. With such traits, a candidate could just focus on doing right by citizens.

Asked if this was a self-description, Palin replied, “Not necessarily.” However, she said running for the vice presidency 2008 was the greatest honor and opportunity. She also added that it prepared her for “future experiences.”

Conclusion

Is Sarah Palin in Trump’s cabinet? No, Sarah Palin isn’t in Trump’s cabinet, as the 2024 presidential elections are yet to happen. She also wasn’t in the former president’s cabinet despite the interest in both of them for that to happen.

Whether the former Alaska governor will have a slot should Trump win the upcoming elections remains to be seen.

Palin showed interest in becoming Trump’s running mate last year. And despite their strong friendship, the former governor’s 2022 double defeat in Alaska doesn’t do her any favors.