By KEVIN SCHOLLA
President-elect Donald Trump has begun assembling his cabinet posthaste after a smashing victory. His choices are sending shockwaves throughout the political swamp and beyond.
From Elon Musk to Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s picks have been just the right people for the job and, as Democrat Sen. John Fetterman put it, “God-tier kind of trolling.” However, there is one glaring omission from Team Trump 2.0.
When Trump first announced his outsider bid for the White House, he was met with skepticism. Conservatives, in particular, questioned his intentions, positions, and chances. He was looked at as a sideshow at best and, at worst, someone who would peel away support from Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Enter the Mama Grizzly.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin helped put Cruz over the top in his initial U.S. Senate race in Texas when she endorsed the little-known Tea Partier in 2012. Because of that relationship, many expected Palin to back Cruz for president in 2016. Instead, the only GOP woman to ever appear on a national ticket went rogue and stumped for Trump. While Palin’s bold move was met with some resistance in the GOP, those who could think outside of the box gave Palin’s nod to Trump some deep thought. Most conservatives concluded that if Palin says Trump is OK, maybe Trump is indeed OK. Other endorsements would follow. The rest is history. He steamrolled through the 2016 primaries and then toppled Hillary Clinton to win the presidency in one of the most shocking political results in history. Trump, an outsider, beat a bunch of D.C. insiders, thanks largely in part to Palin, the ultimate outsider.
Trump did not, however, include Palin in his first cabinet and team of ambassadors afterward. Curious, to say the least, considering Trump spoke very highly of Palin while he was campaigning. During an interview on The Palin Update on Mama Grizzly Radio, he even addressed the idea of having Palin in his administration directly.
“One of the reasons I have such respect for Sarah–first of all, she is a great person,” Trump said. “One of the things I admire so much about her is that she took so much nonsense, lies and disgusting lies–she handles it so well. She’s tough, and smart and a great woman.”
Trump said he’d pick Palin’s brain and perhaps consider her for an official position in his administration. “I’d love that,” he said. “She really is somebody that knows what’s happening.”
Though Palin was never brought on board, her support and love for Trump did not waver. Unlike the rest who have been on-again, off-again Trump backers, Palin has never backed down. She has been a steadfast ally through it all.
When she ran for Congress in 2022, Trump backed her and spoke on her behalf at a rally in Anchorage, Alaska. The compliments toward each other continued to flow. There has been zero public animosity between these two. Yet Palin is still shut out.
Shunning Palin is nothing new. Not unlike Trump, many have a hard time sharing a stage with her. Just like Trump, Palin is honest and keeps her promises. That isn’t always appreciated, especially when it comes to the establishment types. Palin and Trump are wildly popular. They both get things done. They both serve for the right reasons. Palin is authentic, so she frightens the weak. Certainly, she doesn’t frighten an alpha like Donald Trump, right?
Republican beta boys like Chris Christie, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush and the rest of them have not only been anti-Trump over the years, they’ve also been anti-Palin. That’s about as good an endorsement as you can get. So, why isn’t Palin getting that call from Trump?
The first Trump presidency was a good one. Heck, we could even afford groceries back then. There were no new wars, gas prices were low, and girls played sports against other girls. The one major negative of the Trump years, however, was the association with slimy politicians like Mike Pence and John Bolton. But those days are gone now.
The reasons for bringing in Sarah Palin are numerous. Her talents and background are vast and versatile. Energy Secretary and Secretary of Interior seemed like perfect fits. Those two positions, however, have already been offered to Chris Wright and Doug Burgum, respectively. Disappointing. Yet, Palin could still be given something, right? Ambassador to Canada or another country would be in her wheelhouse. A Palin comeback story would complete Trump’s comeback story.
So, why should Trump tab Palin for a position? Here’s a breakdown:
Sarah Palin is capable: Palin’s successes have truly been remarkable. She has shined as a governor, a mayor, a councilor, a chairwoman, a TV host, a mother, and a grandmother. Trump’s agenda is strengthened with a strong woman like Sarah Palin in the mix.
Sarah Palin is the ultimate patriot: She loves our country. She understands that America is exceptional because of liberty. She respects our flag and our founders. She is a constitutionalist. Trump can rest easy knowing a patriot like Palin would always make decisions with the country’s best interests in mind.
Sarah Palin is loyal: She has never, ever wavered. When Palin is in your corner, you have the best behind you. Whether it’s personal relationships or political partnerships, Palin can always be counted on. After years of fighting off turncoats and phonies, Trump could use a real one like Palin in his proverbial foxhole.
Trump said he would: It doesn’t get more basic than this. Trump won this past election largely because he is a man of his word. Promises made, promises kept. Trump has continuously kept his word unapologetically. Trump said he would love to have Palin alongside him. Just do it.
It’s in the interest of the country: People feeling a sense of relief and happiness right now are in that state of mind because they genuinely believe that Trump will do what is right for them, the God-fearing, law-abiding Americans. Palin would only enhance that endeavor.
They share a kinship: No two people in the history of U.S. politics have been mercilessly, relentlessly, and viciously attacked like Trump and Palin. Trump knows that he was done wrong by so many. He stayed the course and returned to prominence. Now, he can have a hand in getting Palin vindicated for all she and her family have endured.
Woke heads would explode: This isn’t why you make an appointment or a decision. Clearly, a president must select the right people for the right jobs. This is the best of both worlds. Palin is the perfect person for America. That’s the cake. The fact that the ladies of The View and their ilk would go bananas over any sort of Palin appointment is the very, very sweet icing on top.
Most of Trump’s appointments and picks thus far offer reason for optimism. But none are Palin, who was MAGA before it was cool.
Trump and Palin are the two most trustworthy and honest politicians of our generation. They are more powerful together. It’s MAGA time. Make Alaska’s Grizzly Ambassador. Or something, at least.
Kevin Scholla is an accomplished writer, announcer, host, and coach. He has been featured on CBS, ABC, Breitbart News, The Hockey Writers, and numerous other outlets. Follow him on X at @kevinscholla.
