Simon & Schuster cancels publication of Hawley’s book

The publisher Simon & Schuster announced Thursday that is cancelling plans to publish Sen. Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) book, “The Tyranny of Big Tech,” because of the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, for which some Republicans have blamed Hawley.

“After witnessing the disturbing, deadly insurrection that took place on Wednesday in Washington, DC, Simon & Schuster has decided to cancel the publication of Sen. Josh Hawley’s forthcoming book,” Simon & Schuster announced in a statement.

The publisher said it did not come to it decision lightly and said “it will always be our mission to amplify a variety of voices and viewpoints” but said Hawley’s role in objecting to the electoral results of the presidential election had crossed a line.

“We take seriously our larger public responsibility as citizens, and cannot support Senator Hawley after his role in what became a dangerous threat to our democracy and freedom,” the company said.

Hawley called the publisher’s decision “Orwellian” and accused it of trying to censor him.

“Simon & Schuster is canceling my contract because I was representing my constituents, leading a debate on the Senate floor on voter integrity, which they have now decided to redefine as sedition,” he said in a statement.

“Let me be clear, this is not just a contract dispute. It’s a direct assault on the First Amendment. Only approved speech can now be published,” he said. “This is the Left looking to cancel everyone they don’t approve of.”

Hawley concluded his statement with a terse: “We’ll see you in court.”

The junior senator from Missouri was criticized earlier on Thursday by fellow Republican Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a potential rival for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, who accused his colleague of misleading supporters about the chances of successfully contesting the results of the 2020 election.

“Some senators, for political gain, misled supporters about their ability to challenge the election results — some even sent out fundraising emails while insurrectionists stormed the Capitol. That stops now — Republicans ought to focus on countering the Democrats’ radical agenda,” Cotton tweeted on Thursday morning.

Cotton appeared to be referring to Hawley, whose campaign sent out a fundraising email Wednesday promoting his plan to object to Pennsylvania’s electoral votes. It was sent shortly before a pro-Trump protesters ransacked hallways and offices in the Capitol.