Former US President Donald Trump issued a statement on Monday asserting that he is hard at work on a new project that is taking precedence over any potential book deals.
"I turned down two book deals, from the most unlikely of publishers, in that I do not want to do such a deal right now," Trump's statement read.
"I’m writing like crazy anyway, however, and when the time comes, you’ll see the book of all books," he added. "Actually, I’ve been working on a much more important project right now!"
In response to Trump's statement, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman alleged that Pence's book deal "is said to have been grating on him."
Pence’s book deal is said to have been grating on him https://t.co/elFcsBI1oR
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 11, 2021
Back in April, Simon & Schuster announced its two-book deal with Pence and almost immediately received backlash from company staffers and regular consumers.
Nevertheless, the US publisher has decided to honor its deal with Pence, as the US is in a "polarized era" and a "diversity of voices and perspectives are necessary.
Pence's first book with the publisher is said to be on the former US vice president's "faith and public service."
