Introduction
Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as White House Press Secretary for President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. In her book "Speaking for Myself," Sanders provides an insider's account of her time in the Trump administration, offering a unique perspective on the inner workings of the White House and the personality of the 45th President of the United States.
As one of Trump's closest advisors and his primary spokesperson to the media, Sanders had a front-row seat to many of the most significant moments and decisions of the administration. Her book aims to lift the lid on Trump's White House, providing readers with insights into the president's thinking, decision-making process, and interactions with staff and world leaders.
Whether you agree with Sanders' politics or not, her account offers a rare glimpse into one of the most controversial presidencies in recent American history. Through her eyes, we see a different side of Trump than the one often portrayed in the media - a man she describes as bold, decisive, and deeply committed to keeping his promises to the American people.
Sanders' Journey to the White House
Sarah Huckabee Sanders didn't stumble into her role as Press Secretary by accident. Her path to the White House was paved by years of experience in Republican politics, starting with her father Mike Huckabee's campaigns in Arkansas.
In 1996, Mike Huckabee became only the second Republican governor of Arkansas in over a century, bucking a long-standing Democratic tradition in the state. This early exposure to politics sparked Sanders' interest in public service and shaped her conservative values.
After graduating from university in 2004, Sanders set her sights on Washington D.C., determined to make a difference in national politics. She worked her way up through various Republican campaigns and organizations, gaining valuable experience in political strategy and communications.
Her big break came in 2007 when her father launched his first presidential campaign. As his campaign manager, Sanders showcased her talent for crafting compelling messages and generating media attention. She even secured an endorsement from action star Chuck Norris, helping to elevate her father from a little-known governor to a serious contender for the Republican nomination.
Although Mike Huckabee's 2007 and 2015 presidential bids ultimately fell short, they provided Sanders with invaluable experience in national politics. Her work caught the attention of Donald Trump, who was then mounting his own unconventional campaign for the presidency.
When Trump offered Sanders a position on his campaign team, she saw an opportunity to be part of something truly transformative. While she acknowledged that Trump was far from a perfect candidate, Sanders believed he represented a better choice for America than Hillary Clinton.
As Trump's campaign gained momentum, Sanders found herself increasingly drawn into his inner circle. Her loyalty, work ethic, and communications skills made her a valuable asset to the team. When Trump pulled off his stunning victory in November 2016, Sanders was well-positioned to take on a key role in the new administration.
Joining the Trump Administration
The day after Trump's unexpected election victory, as the nation was still reeling from the shock, the president-elect was already hard at work assembling his team. Among the many calls he made that day was one to Sarah Sanders, offering her the position of White House deputy press secretary.
For Sanders, this was a life-changing opportunity. It meant putting her plans to return to Arkansas on hold and diving headfirst into the chaotic world of a new presidential administration. Despite the challenges ahead, Sanders couldn't refuse - it was, as she describes it, the chance of a lifetime.
Sanders' appointment as deputy press secretary was a testament to the trust Trump had developed in her during the campaign. He recognized her ability to articulate his message effectively and handle the often-hostile media environment.
As she settled into her new role, Sanders quickly realized that life in the Trump White House would be unlike anything she had experienced before. The pace was relentless, the scrutiny intense, and the stakes incredibly high. Every day brought new challenges and unexpected crises to manage.
Life as Trump's Press Secretary
Sanders' typical day as Press Secretary began long before most Americans were awake. With Trump often starting his day with early morning tweets, Sanders had to be up by 5:30 AM to stay ahead of the news cycle. This early start gave her time to catch up on emails, prepare for the day ahead, and help get her children ready for school before diving into the whirlwind of White House activities.
The cornerstone of Sanders' role was the daily press briefing, typically held in the afternoon. These briefings, attended by around 150 reporters, were opportunities for the White House to explain its policies and for journalists to question the administration on current issues.
Preparing for these briefings was a complex and time-consuming process. Sanders had to be intimately familiar with the president's thinking on a wide range of issues, anticipate potential questions from reporters, and craft responses that accurately conveyed the administration's positions without creating unnecessary controversy.
To ensure she was always up to speed, Sanders spent a significant amount of time with President Trump. She was often present in key meetings and decision-making sessions, giving her unique insight into the president's thought process and priorities. This close working relationship allowed Sanders to speak authoritatively on Trump's behalf during press briefings and media appearances.
However, managing the relationship between Trump and the media was no easy task. The president's combative stance towards many news outlets, coupled with his preference for communicating directly with the public via Twitter, created constant tension. Sanders often found herself walking a tightrope, trying to maintain productive relationships with journalists while also defending the president's often controversial statements and policies.
Challenges with the Media
One of the most significant challenges Sanders faced as Press Secretary was dealing with what she perceived as an increasingly hostile and agenda-driven media. In her view, many journalists covering the White House were more interested in making news than reporting it objectively.
Sanders points to the changing nature of White House press briefings as evidence of this shift. Under previous administrations, these briefings were relatively low-key affairs, primarily covered by C-SPAN. However, in the Trump era, every major network began carrying the briefings live, turning them into must-see TV events.
This increased exposure created new incentives for reporters to create dramatic moments during briefings. Sanders singles out CNN's Jim Acosta as an example of this trend. She argues that Acosta often used press briefings as a platform to boost his own profile, engaging in confrontational exchanges that were more about generating headlines than seeking information.
According to Sanders, this behavior was driven in part by the financial pressures facing news organizations. With ratings and clicks becoming increasingly important, some reporters seemed more focused on creating viral moments than on substantive reporting.
Sanders also criticizes what she sees as a double standard in media coverage. She argues that the press was often quick to report negative stories about the Trump administration based on anonymous sources, while dismissing or downplaying official statements that contradicted these reports.
These challenges made Sanders' job as Press Secretary particularly difficult. She had to balance the need to provide accurate information to the public with the reality of an often adversarial press corps. This tension sometimes led to heated exchanges during briefings, which in turn became news stories in their own right.
Key Moments in the Trump Administration
Sanders' book provides insider accounts of several significant moments during her time in the Trump White House. One such moment was the historic summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2018.
As one of the few American officials present at the summit, Sanders offers a unique perspective on this unprecedented diplomatic event. She describes the intense preparations leading up to the meeting, the tense atmosphere during the talks, and even a surreal moment when she believed Kim Jong-un was attempting to flirt with her - an anecdote that reportedly amused President Trump greatly.
Another key event Sanders discusses is the Mueller investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. She provides her perspective on how the investigation affected the day-to-day operations of the White House and shaped the administration's relationship with the media.
Sanders herself was interviewed by Mueller's team for six hours as part of the investigation. She maintains that she always knew the allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia were unfounded, and expresses frustration with what she saw as the media's obsession with the story.
When the Mueller report was finally released in March 2019, Sanders describes it as a moment of vindication for the administration. She takes pride in her role in communicating the report's findings to the public, seeing it as a refutation of the narrative that had dominated much of Trump's first term.
Personal Challenges and Controversies
Sanders' tenure as Press Secretary was not without personal challenges and controversies. As one of the most visible members of the Trump administration, she often found herself the target of criticism and even harassment.
One incident Sanders describes in detail occurred at a restaurant called the Red Hen in Lexington, Virginia. Sanders had gone there with her family for a meal, only to be confronted by the owner who recognized her and demanded that she leave. The incident, which made national news, was symptomatic of the intense polarization that characterized American politics during the Trump years.
Sanders also writes about the toll that her high-profile position took on her family life. The demands of the job meant long hours away from her husband and children, and even when she was able to spend time with them, the pressures of her role were never far away.
Despite these challenges, Sanders maintains that serving as Press Secretary was "the honor of a lifetime." She expresses deep admiration for President Trump and believes strongly in the policies his administration pursued.
Sanders' View of Trump
Throughout her book, Sanders presents a view of Donald Trump that often contrasts sharply with his public image. She describes a president who is deeply committed to keeping his campaign promises, bold in his decision-making, and genuinely concerned with the welfare of ordinary Americans.
According to Sanders, Trump's unconventional communication style and willingness to challenge established norms in Washington were key to his effectiveness as president. She argues that his use of Twitter and confrontational approach to the media allowed him to bypass traditional gatekeepers and speak directly to the American people.
Sanders also pushes back against portrayals of Trump as impulsive or uninformed. She describes him as a leader who sought out diverse viewpoints and engaged in thorough discussions before making important decisions. In her telling, Trump's seemingly off-the-cuff remarks were often the result of careful deliberation and strategy.
On foreign policy, Sanders presents Trump as a strong leader who was willing to stand up to America's adversaries. She points to his tough stance on North Korea, increased sanctions on Russia, and military action against Syria as examples of his resolve in defending U.S. interests.
While acknowledging Trump's flaws and controversial aspects of his presidency, Sanders ultimately portrays him as a transformative figure who challenged the political establishment and delivered real results for the American people.
The Mueller Investigation
The investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election looms large in Sanders' account of her time in the White House. She describes the investigation as a constant source of frustration for the administration, consuming significant time and resources.
Sanders is highly critical of what she sees as the political motivations behind the investigation. She argues that Trump's opponents, unable to accept his election victory, seized on the Russia allegations as a way to undermine his presidency.
From Sanders' perspective, the media's fixation on the Mueller investigation was a prime example of bias against the Trump administration. She contends that many journalists seemed more interested in pushing a narrative of collusion than in objectively reporting the facts.
Sanders also pushes back against the idea that Trump or his campaign had any improper ties to Russia. She points out what she sees as hypocrisy in the focus on Trump's Russia connections, noting financial ties between Russian entities and prominent Democrats like Bill and Hillary Clinton.
When the Mueller report was finally released in March 2019, Sanders saw it as a complete vindication of the president. She takes pride in her role in communicating the report's findings to the public, describing it as one of her proudest moments as Press Secretary.
However, critics would argue that Sanders' characterization of the Mueller report as a "total and complete exoneration" of Trump was misleading. While the report did not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, it did outline numerous instances of potential obstruction of justice by the president.
Trump's Foreign Policy
Sanders provides insight into Trump's approach to foreign policy, an area where she believes the president's actions often contradicted the narrative pushed by his critics.
On Russia, Sanders argues that far from being soft on Vladimir Putin, Trump actually took a tougher stance than his predecessors. She points to increased sanctions on Russia, the expulsion of Russian diplomats, and support for NATO allies as evidence of Trump's firm approach.
Sanders also highlights Trump's decision to launch missile strikes against Syria in response to the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons. She presents this as an example of Trump's willingness to take decisive action where Obama had hesitated.
The historic summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un is another foreign policy achievement Sanders emphasizes. She describes Trump's approach as a combination of tough rhetoric and personal diplomacy that brought Kim to the negotiating table.
On China, Sanders portrays Trump as the first president in recent memory willing to stand up to Chinese economic aggression. She argues that his trade policies, while controversial, were necessary to level the playing field for American workers and businesses.
Throughout her discussion of foreign policy, Sanders presents Trump as a strong leader who put America's interests first, even when it meant challenging long-standing diplomatic norms or allies.
The Liberal "Resistance"
Sanders dedicates significant attention to what she sees as unfair and often extreme opposition to the Trump administration from liberals and Democrats. She coins the term "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) to describe what she perceives as an irrational hatred of the president that led his opponents to oppose everything he did, regardless of merit.
She argues that this opposition often crossed the line from political disagreement to personal harassment. Sanders recounts several incidents where she or other administration officials were confronted or denied service in public places because of their association with Trump.
One particularly disturbing trend Sanders notes is the call by some Democratic politicians for supporters to confront Trump administration officials in public. She sees this as a dangerous escalation of political tensions and a threat to civil discourse.
Sanders also criticizes what she sees as hypocrisy among liberals who preach tolerance but practice intolerance towards those with different political views. She argues that this behavior is counterproductive and only serves to deepen the political divide in the country.
While critics might argue that the strong opposition to Trump was justified by his policies and behavior, Sanders presents it as largely irrational and driven by a refusal to accept the legitimacy of his election victory.
Sanders' Legacy and Future
Sanders stepped down from her role as Press Secretary in June 2019, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. She describes her tenure in the White House as the honor of a lifetime and expresses deep gratitude to President Trump for the opportunity to serve.
In her final press briefing, Sanders highlighted what she saw as the administration's key achievements, including economic growth, tax reform, and progress on foreign policy fronts like North Korea. She also defended her own record, arguing that she had always strived to provide the American people with accurate information.
Sanders' tenure as Press Secretary was undoubtedly controversial. Critics accused her of misleading the public and enabling what they saw as Trump's worst impulses. Supporters, on the other hand, praised her loyalty and effectiveness in articulating the president's message in a hostile media environment.
As she left her role, Trump hinted that Sanders might have a future in politics, possibly as a candidate for governor in her home state of Arkansas. Sanders herself has not ruled out the possibility of running for office, suggesting that her time in the White House may have been just the beginning of her political career.
Final Thoughts
"Speaking for Myself" offers a unique insider's perspective on one of the most controversial presidencies in recent American history. Sarah Huckabee Sanders provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the daily workings of the Trump White House, the president's decision-making process, and the challenges of managing communications for an unconventional administration.
Sanders' account is undoubtedly partisan, presenting a largely positive view of Trump and his policies while criticizing his opponents and the media. Readers should approach the book with this context in mind, understanding that it represents one perspective on a deeply polarizing period in American politics.
Regardless of one's political leanings, Sanders' book provides valuable insights into the inner workings of the White House and the immense challenges faced by those in positions of power. It highlights the intense pressures of serving in a high-profile role in the modern media environment and the personal toll such service can take.
The book also serves as a reminder of the deep political divisions in contemporary America. Sanders' experiences with harassment and confrontation outside of work hours illustrate the extent to which political disagreements have spilled over into personal life for many public figures.
Ultimately, "Speaking for Myself" is likely to be most appreciated by supporters of President Trump who are looking for a counternarrative to mainstream media coverage of his administration. However, even those critical of Trump may find value in understanding how his team viewed their mission and justified their actions.
As America continues to grapple with the legacy of the Trump presidency, insider accounts like Sanders' will undoubtedly play a role in shaping how this period is remembered and understood. While it's just one piece of a complex puzzle, "Speaking for Myself" offers a perspective that cannot be ignored in any comprehensive assessment of the Trump years.