Sarah Palin returning to Fox News

The former Alaska governor returns just five months after "parting ways" with the network

Published June 13, 2013 8:00PM (EDT)

Five months after her departure, Sarah Palin is returning to Fox News as a paid contributor.

The former Alaska governor first joined Fox in 2010 and soon become the network's highest-paid contributor, earning nearly $1 million a year. Fox even built Palin a private studio in her Wasilla home and network head Roger Ailes told the AP that "I hired Sarah Palin because she was hot and got ratings." But after a series of sour negotiations, Palin "parted ways" with Fox in 2013, after the network seemingly “cancelled all my scheduled interviews tonight” according to a post Palin wrote on Facebook.

Ailes, who behind-closed-doors has reportedly called Palin "stupid" said in the statement today that "I have great confidence in her and am pleased that she will once again add her commentary to our programming. I hope she continues to speak her mind."

Upon rejoining the network, Palin said in statement, "The power of FOX News is unparalleled. The role of FOX News in the important debates in our world is indispensible. I am pleased and proud to be rejoining Roger Ailes and the great people at FOX.”

Palin will contribute to the Fox Business Network and daytime and primetime shows on Fox News and will make her first appearance on "Fox & Friends" June 17th.


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

MORE FROM Prachi Gupta


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Fox & Friends Fox News Roger Ailes Sarah Palin Television