You’re flipping through channels late at night, maybe trying to wind down, and suddenly there he is. Mike Huckabee. The former Governor of Arkansas, the guy who ran for President twice, and the man who was recently tapped for a massive diplomatic role as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. He’s looking right at the camera, talking about why you can’t sleep or why your joints hurt.
It feels a little weird, right? One minute he’s discussing Middle East policy on a news network, and the next he’s telling you to "call now" for a bottle of Relaxium.
People have been asking why is mike huckabee doing commercials for years, but the conversation shifted into high gear recently. In 2025 and 2026, seeing a sitting high-level diplomat appearing in infomercials for sleep aids isn't just a quirk of late-night TV—it’s become a genuine point of ethical debate.
The Money, the Contracts, and the Ambassadorship
Let’s get the elephant out of the room first: Mike Huckabee makes a lot of money from these spots. According to financial disclosures he filed when he was nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, he was paid over $414,000 by the American Behavioral Research Institute (the folks behind Relaxium) in 2024 alone. That’s a huge chunk of change, even for a guy with a successful career in media and politics.
But here’s where it gets sticky.
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Once he took the job in Jerusalem, people expected the ads to vanish. They didn't. In late 2025, viewers were still seeing his face on screen. When reporters started poking around, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem basically said he can't stop them.
He signed something called a "Name, Image, and Likeness" (NIL) agreement long before he took the government job. Essentially, the company owns those clips. He doesn’t have the legal right to tell them to stop airing the footage just because he’s now a diplomat. The embassy’s official line was pretty blunt: "Ambassadors need to sleep, too."
It’s Not Just One Product
While Relaxium is the one you probably see the most, it's part of a much larger portfolio.
- Relaxium Sleep: His biggest endorsement, focused on drug-free sleep.
- Relief Factor: He’s been a staple in their "living life without pain" testimonials.
- The Kids Guide to the Bible: A series of educational booklets for children.
- Health Supplements: He’s previously touted things like the "Diabetes Solution Kit," which caused some heat back in 2015 because it suggested cinnamon and chromium could "cure" the disease.
The Personal Connection to Wellness
If you ask Huckabee himself, he doesn’t view this as "selling out." He sees it as sharing a lifestyle.
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Back in 2003, Huckabee was in a bad way. He was the Governor of Arkansas, weighed over 300 pounds, and was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. His doctor told him he had maybe ten years to live. That’s a wake-up call that would rattle anyone. He ended up losing over 100 pounds, started running marathons, and became a massive advocate for preventive health.
Because of that transformation, his audience—mostly older, conservative-leaning viewers—trusts him. He isn't just some random actor reading a script; he’s a guy who actually lived through a health crisis. That "authenticity" is why brands like Relaxium are willing to pay him nearly half a million dollars a year. They know that when he says he uses the product, his fans believe him.
The Ethics of the "Side Gig"
Honestly, this is where the controversy lives. Most federal employees have to follow very strict rules about "outside earned income." Usually, if you’re a high-ranking official, you can’t go around hawking pills.
However, Huckabee’s team argued that because the contracts were signed before his appointment and the payments are "residuals" or based on existing licenses, it’s technically allowed. It’s a loophole. Critics, like Peter Loge from George Washington University, argue that it looks terrible. The optics of a U.S. Ambassador appearing in a commercial for a non-FDA-approved supplement while representing the country abroad are, to put it mildly, complicated.
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It creates a "private gain for public service" vibe that makes ethics watchdogs lose their minds. But legally? As of early 2026, he’s still in the clear because he isn’t filming new ads while in office.
Why Do the Companies Keep Using Him?
You might think a company would want to distance itself from a controversial political figure. In the world of direct-response marketing (those 2-minute long commercials), it’s the opposite.
Huckabee has a specific "Q Score"—a measurement of how familiar and Likable a celebrity is—that is off the charts with the 55+ demographic. These are the people who still watch linear television and buy things over the phone. For Relaxium, the controversy might even be a plus. It keeps his name in the news, which keeps the brand in the news.
What This Means for You
If you're watching these ads, it's important to separate the messenger from the message. Just because a former Governor and current Ambassador says a pill works doesn't mean it’s medical gospel.
- Check the Ingredients: Most of these "natural" sleep aids are built on melatonin, valerian root, or magnesium. You can often find the same stuff for a fraction of the price at a local pharmacy.
- Understand the "Residual" Game: When you see him on screen, remember you're seeing a version of him from 2023 or 2024. The TV industry moves slow, and those contracts are ironclad.
- Watch the Disclosure: If you look closely at the bottom of the screen during these ads, there’s usually a tiny disclaimer. It notes that he is a paid spokesperson.
So, why is Mike Huckabee doing commercials? Because he built a brand as a "health-conscious leader" long before he went back into government, and the legal contracts he signed are effectively permanent. He gets paid, the company gets customers, and the viewers get a familiar face—even if that face is now officially representing the United States in one of the most volatile regions on Earth.
Next steps for you: If you are actually considering the products he promotes, take the ingredient list to your doctor first. Don't buy a supplement just because a political figure you like is the one talking about it. Always verify the "FDA-approved" status of any supplement, as most of these products fall under the "dietary supplement" category, which has much looser regulations than actual medication.