The publisher Simon & Schuster announced it has decided not to publish a forthcoming book “The Tyranny of Big Tech,” by Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, citing his role in fomenting this week’s “disturbing [and] deadly insurrection” at the U.S. Capitol.
“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.
On Thursday the publisher said in the statement “it will always be our mission to amplify a variety of voices and viewpoints” however they decided 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”, accused it of trying to censor him and vowed to fight it in court.
“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.”