Simon & Schuster publicly severs ties with right-wing senator Josh Hawley after Capitol riots – but will still profit from book sales

Simon & Schuster will still profit from the publishing of Senator Josh Hawley’s forthcoming title despite cancelling his book deal.

Following Hawley’s support of the Capitol riots, Simon & Schuster – which was bought by Penguin Random House in November – cancelled his forthcoming book The Tyranny of Big Tech.

Less than two weeks after the decision was announced, it has been reported that Hawley’s book will now be published by conservative publisher Regnery.

However, according to The Guardian, Simon & Schuster will still profit from The Tyranny of Big Tech due to a distribution agreement made between the two organisations in 2018.

Simon & Schuster, therefore, “handles distribution for Regnery titles in all markets and territories around the world” and “sales in Canada and export markets”.

The publisher dropped Hawley’s book after the Missouri senator was photographed raising a fist in solidarity with the pro-Trump mob who stormed the Capitol on 6 January in a riot that left five dead.

One user wrote on Twitter: “Lololol @SimonSchuster found a back door to keeping that Trump money coming in – @Regnery will print Hawley’s book but Simon & Schuster will distribute globally.

“Nicely done. The moral courage of corporations is just…” followed by a kiss emoji.

Hawley has also voiced his support of Donald Trump’s claims that the election was stolen, which have been repeatedly debunked.

In a statement addressing the decision at the time, Simon & Schuster wrote: “We did not come to this decision lightly. As a publisher it will always be our mission to amplify a variety of voices and viewpoints.

“At the same time we take seriously our larger public responsibility as citizens, and cannot support Senator Hawley after his role in what became a dangerous threat.”

Hawley took to Twitter to release a statement regarding his book’s cancellation. He wrote: “This could not be more Orwellian” and stated that “it’s a direct assault on the First Amendment”.

The senator added: “This is the Left looking to cancel everyone they don’t approve of. I will fight this cancel culture with everything I have. We’ll see you in court.”

The Independent has contacted a representative for Simon & Schuster for comment.

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