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"...Sarah Huckabee Sanders Has Finally Offered An Explanation For Her Super Bowl Extravaganza

The office of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) has issued a statement about her trip to the Super Bowl following a TPM report that highlighted the high costs of her tickets and the ethical questions raised by her big night at the big game. According to a written statement Sanders’ spokesperson, Alexa Henning, provided to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette newspaper, the governor and her family of five “were in the upper level, not a suite” as they cheered on the victorious Kansas City Chiefs. 

“And no taxpayer money was used for tickets to the game for her security detail,” Henning added.

As a public official, Sanders is subject to regulations that bar her from receiving gifts valued over $100. She had also faced prior controversies related to her use of taxpayer funds. Her family’s big night at the most expensive football game of all time brought up all of these issues — particularly because Henning did not respond to any questions (including multiple inquiries from TPM) about how the governor obtained tickets.

In fact, much remains unanswered following Henning’s statement — including questions about field passes the family flaunted at the Super Bowl, prior instances where Sanders posted social media photos in which she appeared to be enjoying extraordinary access to Chiefs games, and whether any of this needed to appear on her required financial disclosure documents. The disclosure requirements matter because, even if Sanders did indeed ultimately pay her own way, there are substantial indications she received perks at the Super Bowl and another Chiefs game that were not available on the open market and could be considered a gift for regulatory purposes. ..."