You probably remember the glasses. Or the "you betchas." Or maybe that 2008 vice-presidential run that basically changed how we look at American politics forever. But Sarah Palin today isn't exactly the same firebrand who was "going rogue" in the early 2010s. Things have gotten... quieter. Sorta.
Honestly, if you haven't checked in on the former Alaska governor lately, you've missed a wild mix of legal battles and a very "back-to-basics" lifestyle. She isn't in Juneau anymore. She isn't on a national ticket. Instead, she’s navigating a landscape that she helped build but doesn't necessarily control.
The Legal Grind and the New York Times Retrial
The biggest news regarding Sarah Palin today actually happened in a courtroom. If you feel like you’ve heard about her suing the New York Times for a decade, well, you’re not far off. The whole thing started over a 2017 editorial that linked her political action committee to a mass shooting.
Fast forward to April 2025. A retrial was finally held after the original 2022 verdict was tossed.
The result? She lost. Again.
The jury and the judge basically decided she hadn't proven "actual malice," which is the super-high bar celebrities have to clear to win libel cases. It was a massive blow for her. She had positioned herself as a David taking on the Goliath of mainstream media, but the legal system just didn't see it her way.
Politics: The 2022 Comeback That Wasn't
Let's talk about her attempt to get back into the game. In 2022, she ran for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. People thought it was a slam dunk. She had the name ID and the Donald Trump endorsement.
But Alaska is a weird place politically. They switched to ranked-choice voting, and it didn't do her any favors. She lost twice to Mary Peltola—once in a special election and again in the general.
What’s interesting is that while the rest of the country still sees her as a GOP superstar, some Alaskans haven't quite forgiven her for resigning as governor back in 2009. They call it "quitting." She calls it "protecting the state from frivolous ethics investigations." Either way, the "quitter" label stuck, and it clearly impacted her 2022 numbers.
Life in Wasilla: Family and Health Updates
Away from the cameras, life for the Palin family has been pretty heavy lately. Her daughter, Bristol, has been very open on social media about her struggle with Bell’s palsy. Just this January, Bristol shared that she’s still dealing with facial paralysis and might need Botox to help with the symmetry in her face.
Sarah's own life is much more grounded now.
- She still lives in Wasilla.
- She's a grandmother (many times over).
- She spends a lot of time outdoors—hunting and fishing aren't just for the cameras.
- She keeps a presence on social media, often posting about "common sense" solutions and supporting conservative causes.
She isn't the "Judge Judy" of television like people once predicted (remember that 2016 deal for a courtroom show? Yeah, that never quite happened). Instead, she’s become a sort of elder statesman for the MAGA movement. She paved the way for the populist, anti-establishment vibe that defines the GOP today.
Why Sarah Palin Still Matters
You can't talk about modern politics without talking about her. She was the prototype. Long before "fake news" was a catchphrase, she was attacking the "lamestream media."
She’s still relevant because she represents a specific bridge between the old-school GOP and the current populist era. While she might not be holding office, her influence is baked into the party’s DNA. Every time you see a politician lean into their "outsider" status or use social media to bypass traditional journalists, you're seeing a bit of the Palin playbook.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re wondering what’s next for Sarah Palin today, keep an eye on the 2026 election cycle. While she hasn't officially jumped into any new races, Mary Peltola is currently challenging Dan Sullivan for a Senate seat, which is shaking up the Alaskan political tree. Whether Palin tries for a "third time's the charm" House run or stays in the commentator lane remains to be seen.
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To stay updated on the shifting political landscape in Alaska, you can follow the official Alaska Division of Elections or keep tabs on the Associated Press for national legal updates regarding her ongoing litigation.
If you're interested in her personal perspective, her book Going Rogue remains the definitive look at her rise to power, though her more recent social media commentary gives a much better "real-time" look at her life in the 2020s.