Chapitre 1
From Press Secretary to History Maker: A Journey Through Trump's White House
In a political era defined by division, Sarah Huckabee Sanders emerged as one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures in American politics. As the third woman and first mother to serve as White House Press Secretary, Sanders navigated the tumultuous waters of the Trump administration with unwavering loyalty and fierce determination. Her memoir "Speaking for Myself" offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain of power, revealing intimate moments with world leaders, family struggles, and the personal cost of public service. The book became an instant New York Times bestseller upon its 2020 release, resonating with conservative readers who admired her steadfast defense of President Trump while offering insights into the human side of an administration often portrayed as chaotic. What makes this memoir particularly compelling is how Sanders balances her professional identity with her roles as mother, daughter of a prominent politician, and woman of faith-creating a narrative that transcends typical political memoirs to explore the intersection of personal conviction and public duty in America's highest office.
Chapitre 2
From Arkansas to Air Force One: The Journey Begins
My journey to the White House began long before President Trump took office. Growing up as the daughter of Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, politics was always part of my life. When I was thirteen, our family moved into the Governor's Mansion after a dramatic constitutional crisis where two men briefly claimed to be governor. The Georgian colonial mansion, with its 30,000 square feet of formal rooms and private quarters, became our home for the next decade.
Life in the mansion taught me valuable lessons about seeing people beyond their circumstances. My parents encouraged me to interact with trustees-inmates serving life sentences who maintained the grounds-teaching me to focus on people's good qualities rather than their flaws. This lesson in compassion and understanding God's grace would serve me well throughout my career.
My high school years at Little Rock Central High School were particularly significant. Forty years after the Little Rock Nine integration crisis, I stood on those same steps as President Clinton and my father held the doors open for those brave individuals who had once been blocked by a Democratic governor. Our senior class showed remarkable unity, with all 600 classmates gathering at the Governor's Mansion for breakfast-a powerful moment considering the school's troubled history.
After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University in 2004, I took a job in the Bush administration at the Department of Education. Though my initial role involved menial tasks rather than world-changing policy work, I embraced the opportunity. When my father considered running for president in 2008, I convinced him to let me run his political operation despite being just 24 years old.
Our campaign epitomized grassroots efforts-holding events at Pizza Ranches across Iowa and assembling a homespun presence at the straw poll with Hope watermelons and entertainment from my dad's band. While Romney spent millions, we relied on volunteers and borrowed resources. Our breakthrough came with the Chuck Norris television ad that went viral, earning millions of free views and constant replays on cable news networks.
On caucus night, despite a snowstorm that stranded my parents, we achieved a stunning nine-point victory that shocked the political establishment. Though McCain eventually secured the nomination, this campaign introduced me to Bryan Sanders (initially nicknamed "K1"), who would become my husband. After successful campaign management roles for various Republican candidates, including John Boozman's Senate victory, my path was set toward higher political service.
Chapitre 3
Family First: Navigating Motherhood in Washington
Motherhood transformed my life in ways I never anticipated. When our daughter Scarlett was born in 2012, I experienced the joy of parenthood but also struggled with postpartum depression. Despite loving her deeply, I felt isolated during late-night feedings and disconnected while Bryan seemed to bond instantly with our daughter. Six weeks after Scarlett's birth, a breakthrough moment came when she gave me her first big smile, and I finally felt the deep connection I'd been missing.
When my father decided to run for president again in 2015, I signed on as campaign manager while pregnant with our third child, George. I took only two weeks of maternity leave, sending "great ideas" in 2:00 a.m. emails while on pain medication. George became the office star, especially with the finance team who passed him around between donor calls.
The 2016 race was nothing like 2008. Donald Trump dominated from his entry, making it impossible for candidates like my dad to break through. After a disappointing Iowa caucus, we ended the campaign. Though devastated, Bryan encouraged me not to give up and suggested I work for Trump, who was still battling Cruz and Rubio for the nomination.
I was hired to focus on women and Christian outreach but quickly became a TV surrogate, doing hundreds of media appearances including defending Trump after the Access Hollywood controversy. On election night, watching President-elect Trump give his acceptance speech was one of my proudest professional moments. Two weeks before inauguration, Sean Spicer called offering me a position in communications. I countered by suggesting the role of principal deputy press secretary instead, which he accepted.
As a working mother in the White House, I constantly struggled to balance my professional responsibilities with family life. While liberal feminists often attacked my character and motherhood, President Trump empowered me as both a woman and a working mom. He treated me no differently than male colleagues, included me in high-level meetings, sought my advice, and pushed me to excel-exactly the equality I wanted.
Like many working mothers, I battled daily guilt about not being present for my children while simultaneously worrying about workplace performance. The high cost of childcare presented another challenge-at one point, our monthly childcare expenses exceeded our mortgage payment. This experience made me appreciate the Trump administration's efforts to double the child tax credit and champion paid family leave.
Being a mother actually made me better at my job as press secretary. Motherhood taught me crucial skills: multitasking, prioritizing time, weighing my words carefully, and repeatedly saying "no"-I often joked that dealing with some reporters was similar to handling screaming toddlers.
Chapitre 4
Behind the Podium: Life as Press Secretary
My days as White House press secretary followed a demanding but unpredictable pattern. Rising at 5:30 a.m., I'd immediately begin responding to reporter inquiries before even getting out of bed. By 6:30 a.m., the president was typically tweeting and making news that could completely reshape our day's agenda. After getting my three children ready and saying goodbye to my family, I'd be in the car by 7:15 a.m., taking calls from the president, senior officials, or reporters while heading to the West Wing.
By 7:45 a.m., senior communications staff would gather in my office for our morning meeting. This tight-knit group included Hope Hicks, Josh Raffel, Michael Anton, Raj Shah, Hogan Gidley, Jessica Ditto, Lindsay Walters, and others. These meetings were part strategic planning, part therapy session-a place where we could speak freely and joke about responses we wished we could give publicly before getting serious about the day's challenges.
After senior staff meetings, I'd often get a call from the president if I hadn't already. He'd ask how things were "playing" in the media and give me a list of tasks-some related to my job, many not. These calls gave me critical guidance on his thinking so I could accurately speak on his behalf. I spent more time with the president than almost any other senior official except Ivanka, Jared, and Dan Scavino-essential access that allowed me to understand his positions and effectively represent him.
Around noon, our team would gather in my office to prepare for press briefings. We'd divide responsibility for gathering accurate information on key topics, often bringing in subject matter experts. The most effective prep was a "murder board" where my team hammered me with difficult questions. This preparation was stressful but brought us closer as we approached each briefing as "us against them"-reporters hoping for viral gotcha moments versus our mission to deliver the president's message directly to Americans.
After briefings, I'd check in with the president for feedback, as he usually watched live or recorded them. Afternoons were often spent with him in the Oval Office or his study, participating in calls and meetings. The president was incredibly fun to be around-with a huge personality and laugh-out-loud sense of humor. Evenings involved more meetings and reporter calls before heading home to briefly see my kids before bedtime. I'd read to them, eat a quick dinner with my husband, then return calls and emails until midnight-exhausted but exhilarated by a job I wouldn't have traded for any in the world.
In the battle between the president and media, I often felt on the front lines in no-man's-land. Nothing was off-limits to Trump critics-they attacked my character, weight, appearance, and fitness as a mother. MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace said I was "vile," "not even human," and should be choked. The LA Times columnist David Horsey called me a "chunky soccer mom"-the first mainstream media attack on my appearance. When this happened during our Asia trip, President Trump pulled me aside and said, "Sarah-you're tough, you're beautiful, and you're good at your job. That's why they attack you. Never let those f--ers get you down!"
Chapitre 5
Diplomatic Challenges: North Korea and Beyond
In spring 2018, US and North Korean officials began negotiating a potential historic first summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un. Following President Obama's warning that North Korea represented America's most dangerous threat, the Trump administration had implemented a "maximum pressure" policy. This approach yielded an early diplomatic victory when the UN Security Council unanimously approved aggressive new sanctions against North Korea.
When North Korea threatened retaliation for these sanctions, the president responded forcefully, warning they would be "met with fire and fury like the world has never seen." Upon returning to Washington after another North Korean nuclear test, I attended an emergency Situation Room meeting with key officials including Kelly, Tillerson, Mattis, Pompeo, and McMaster. When the president unexpectedly asked for my input on messaging, I recommended a simple, clear statement delivered on camera by military leaders. General Mattis delivered our warning, including my line about having options for "total annihilation" of North Korea if necessary. Afterward, Mattis told me, "You're tough. The only job in the administration I'd want less than mine is yours."
At the UN, President Trump escalated his maximum pressure campaign, calling Kim Jong Un "Rocket Man on a suicide mission." North Korea dominated our subsequent twelve-day Asia trip, the longest foreign journey ever taken by an American president. During a South Korean State Dinner at the Blue House, I was pulled away to the presidential limousine for a secret briefing about our planned DMZ visit the next morning. Though fog ultimately forced us to cancel the DMZ landing, the president delivered a powerful warning to North Korea in his address to the South Korean national assembly.
In China, we received unprecedented treatment. I joined the small delegation touring the Forbidden City, which had been closed to the public for our visit. We explored the 180-acre complex via golf cart, had tea in the Hall of Three Rare Treasures, and watched a two-thousand-year-old opera. President Trump became the first American president to receive a private tour and dine with President Xi in the Forbidden City. Despite the lavish hospitality, President Trump remained firm in discussions about trade imbalances and North Korea.
The diplomatic breakthrough culminated in the release of three American hostages from North Korea, whom Secretary Pompeo brought home on a special flight. President Trump and the First Lady greeted them at Andrews Air Force Base in a middle-of-the-night ceremony with over 250 press members present. The emotional scene of the freed hostages walking into freedom on American soil demonstrated that Trump's maximum pressure campaign was delivering results.
On June 10, 2018, we departed for Singapore aboard Air Force One for the historic summit with Kim Jong-un. After the summit concluded with both leaders signing a comprehensive agreement, Trump conducted media interviews and a triumphant press conference declaring "The past does not have to define the future." Though I knew it would take a miracle for Kim to relinquish nuclear weapons, the president had already succeeded in liberating American hostages, freezing nuclear tests, and starting a relationship to reduce the risk of devastating war.
Chapitre 6
Personal Attacks and Political Division
In summer 2018, I experienced firsthand the growing hostility toward Trump administration officials when the owner of The Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, Virginia kicked me out during a family dinner, saying "You're a terrible person." The incident exploded on social media and became national news, with Trump supporters flooding The Red Hen with negative reviews while Congresswoman Maxine Waters called for public confrontation of administration officials. The incident highlighted the dangerous escalation of political division, as I began receiving credible threats requiring Secret Service protection-the first press secretary to need such security.
I addressed the media's role in inciting threats during a heated exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta, earning praise from Rush Limbaugh and President Trump. Despite the challenges, I was determined not to be bitter, relying on my Christian faith to forgive those who attacked me. The Secret Service detail assigned to me became like family, with my children especially enjoying their presence and us baking them cookies as they guarded our home.
Following Justice Kennedy's retirement announcement, President Trump moved quickly to nominate Brett Kavanaugh as his replacement. Democrats immediately opposed the nomination, and when Christine Blasey Ford's allegations surfaced, our team rigorously prepared Kavanaugh with tough mock questioning. After MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski called me "rotten to the core" for defending Kavanaugh, Communications Director Bill Shine temporarily banned administration officials from appearing on the network, telling MSNBC's president "You're not going to continue harassing women in the White House this way."
At a Mississippi rally, President Trump questioned Ford's credibility, galvanizing Republicans behind Kavanaugh. Senator McConnell championed the presumption of innocence, and with Senators Collins and Manchin's support, Kavanaugh was confirmed 50-48. At the White House reception, I helped the president prepare his speech where he apologized to the Kavanaugh family for their suffering and declared Brett "proven innocent." Justice Thomas joked with me about The Red Hen incident, saying "next time let me come with you and I'll set them straight." That night, our team celebrated at Trump International Hotel, recognizing this conservative Supreme Court appointment as one of the most consequential victories of the Trump presidency.
Chapitre 7
Confronting the Mueller Investigation
While the Kavanaugh confirmation battle raged, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team requested to interview me as part of their Russia investigation. Despite having no evidence of collusion after a year of investigation, Mueller represented a dangerous threat to the Trump presidency with his unlimited power and media allies. I defended Donald Trump Jr. during a press briefing when he was attacked over a meeting with a Russian woman, pointing out the Democrats' hypocrisy given the Clintons' extensive Russian connections.
When Mueller's team requested to interview me, I faced a difficult decision. Horror stories circulated of innocent White House staffers facing financial ruin from legal fees. After consulting with Emmet Flood, the president, and my husband, I agreed to participate. The president assured me I wouldn't be responsible for legal expenses. Attorney Bill Burck prepared me with a massive sixty-seven-tab binder covering four topic areas.
On interview day, Secret Service escorted me to a sterile government building where Mueller briefly introduced himself before his team began their aggressive questioning. The Democratic prosecutors treated me with contempt despite my voluntary cooperation. They focused intensely on Comey's firing, Don Jr.'s meeting statement, and particularly my press briefing comment about "countless" FBI members supporting Comey's termination-which I acknowledged as a "slip of the tongue" made in the heat of a contentious briefing.
When the Mueller report was about to be released, I was called to join the president on Air Force One to Florida. At Mar-a-Lago, I worked with the president, Emmet, and Pat Cipollone to coordinate our response. Attorney General Barr's summary vindicated the president completely-no collusion, no obstruction. I issued the first White House statement declaring it "a total and complete exoneration." Key decisions that saved Trump's presidency included allowing Mueller to complete his investigation with full cooperation, hiring excellent lawyers like Cipollone and Flood, and replacing Sessions with Barr.
Chapitre 8
Royal Treatment: The UK State Visit
On June 3, 2019, I joined President Trump's delegation for his state visit to the United Kingdom, followed by the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day in Normandy and a visit to his golf resort in Ireland. This was the most coveted foreign trip among White House staff.
Our delegation arrived at Buckingham Palace as Marine One landed with the president and first lady, who was stunning in a white Dolce & Gabbana dress with a custom hat. Prince Charles and Camilla welcomed them before the Queen greeted them at the top of the stairs. Inside, we met with Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah ("T.A."), the Queen's equerry who guided us through royal protocol.
During the formal receiving line, the Queen recognized me, saying "She is tough and does a good job." Prince Charles called me "wonderfully talented" while Prince Harry was charming, even joking about difficult press coverage. The Queen then guided the president through the Grand Hall, showing royal artifacts representing US-UK relations, including a historic map of New York and the British copy of the Declaration of Independence.
For the State Dinner, I wore a red floor-length gown with Jimmy Choo heels. Prince Michael of Kent escorted me, advising "When in doubt, just do as the royals do!" The dinner featured both national anthems, toasts from the Queen and President Trump, and traditional bagpipers. Afterward, we mingled with the royal family including Prince William and Princess Kate, who shared stories about their children. The evening felt like we were royalty for the night.
At the reciprocal dinner at Winfield House, I was surprised to be seated at the president's table next to Prince Charles. Following a trick I'd learned from Jeb Bush years earlier, I passed menu cards around for signatures. Though initially hesitant, Prince Charles signed mine with simply "Charles"-something his staff later said he never does. This gesture from Trump, placing me at his table, exemplified his often unseen generosity and kindness.
The next morning, we flew to Normandy for the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day. Before the ceremony, I insisted that a Fox News interview focus more on the historic significance of D-Day rather than domestic politics. At the ceremony, President Trump delivered one of his finest speeches, honoring the sacrifice of American soldiers who "ran through the fires of hell moved by a force no weapon could destroy: the fierce patriotism of a free, proud, and sovereign people."
Chapitre 9
Returning Home: A New Chapter in Arkansas
After returning from the trip, I seriously considered the president's earlier suggestion about running for governor of Arkansas. He had unexpectedly broached the subject on Marine One, offering his immediate endorsement and jokingly calling me "Madam Governor" even in front of Prince Charles. After prayer and consideration with Bryan, I decided it was time for our family to return home to Arkansas, though leaving the White House wouldn't be easy.
When I told the president of my decision, he was supportive but reluctant to see me go, immediately offering his endorsement for a gubernatorial run and even announcing it publicly. At my going-away party at the Trump Hotel, over two hundred colleagues attended, including cabinet members, senior staff, and even the president himself who gave a toast. My final days were spent packing my office with friends and leaving a note for my successor, Stephanie Grisham, along with the daily devotional book that had given me strength.
Transitioning from the center of political power to family life was jarring. After leaving Washington immediately following my departure from the White House, we stopped at my parents' house in Florida for a few weeks of decompression before returning to Arkansas. The shift from being needed by the president and top reporters to ordering school supplies and decorating our new home was a shock to my system. I hadn't realized how exhausted I was until I finally slowed down, having run on pure adrenaline for years.
After settling in Little Rock, I signed contracts with Fox News and a speaker's bureau, joined the Fulbright Board, and began writing this book. When the coronavirus emerged, President Trump declared it a public health emergency and implemented travel restrictions for China while Democrats were distracted by impeachment. During quarantine, my family joined with my brother's to homeschool our children, starting each day with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Bryan and I founded the Arkansas 30 Day Fund, providing forgivable loans to small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including many owned by African Americans and women.
The pandemic derailed President Trump's reelection strategy while Biden attacked from his "basement bunker." I maintained that Trump's record on the economy, particularly for minorities, made him better for America than Biden, whom I characterized as a career politician representing the status quo. The 2020 election would determine whether America would continue to lead the world or cede that position to China.
Despite our challenges-pandemic, economic downturn, social unrest-I believed Americans could prevail if united under God. We face an epic battle between good and evil, and America must be a force for good. As an eleven-year-old girl visiting Yad Vashem in Israel, I wrote in the guest book: "Why didn't somebody do something?" That moment taught me that evil prevails when good people do nothing. My prayer for America is that we take a stand against evil like generations before us. Let us be the somebodies who do something.
