Tucker Carlson Analysis Book Suffers Disappointing Sales Launch
A new book attempting to explain the remarkable success of controversial far-right commentator Tucker Carlson has made a minimal impact during its initial week on the market. 'Hated By All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind' managed to sell only 928 copies following its release on January 27, according to early sales data obtained by Status.
Comparisons to Other Political Books Highlight Poor Performance
The book's lackluster launch becomes even more apparent when compared to other recent political publications. Disgraced political writer Olivia Nuzzi's 'American Canto' sold 1,165 copies when it debuted in December, despite receiving harsh criticism from major publications. The Washington Post described it as 'aggressively awful', while The New York Times called it 'regrettably self-serious'.
The Tucker Carlson analysis has performed even worse, currently languishing at position #10,030 on Amazon's Bestseller list. This places it more than one hundred webpages away from the coveted Top 50 ranking, despite significant pre-publication publicity efforts.
Liberal Perspective on Conservative Media Star
The book represents a liberal examination of how the former Fox News journalist transformed into a megastar of the MAGA right-wing movement. Authored by New Yorker reporter Jason Zengerle, the publication comes from Crooked Media Reads, a publishing imprint established by Pod Save America hosts Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor.
Zengerle reveals an interesting professional history with his subject, having regularly used Carlson as a reporting source during the mid-1990s. In the book, he describes the younger Carlson as a 'gifted young writer' before tracing what he characterizes as the commentator's evolution into a 'noxious talking head'.
Examining Carlson's Media Evolution and Influence
The book's synopsis suggests that 'Carlson’s evolution tells the larger story of how the right has radicalized and taken the media with it.' However, Zengerle notably avoids explaining the circumstances that led to Carlson's abrupt firing from Fox News in 2023, when he stood at the peak of his network success.
Since his departure from traditional broadcast media, Carlson has successfully established himself in the digital landscape. His podcast and YouTube show have achieved significant popularity, with the latter platform attracting more than five million subscribers to his channel.
Controversial Interviews and Political Connections
Carlson has generated considerable controversy through his interview choices, including welcoming figures like white nationalist Nick Fuentes and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to his program. The book traces Carlson's professional journey through various media outlets:
- Early work at the right-leaning Weekly Standard in the 1990s
- Unsuccessful hosting roles on left-leaning networks including CNN, PBS, and MSNBC
- A surprising appearance as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars
- His current position as a dominant voice in new media
Insights into Carlson's Relationship with Trump
Zengerle makes several notable claims about Carlson's relationship with former President Donald Trump. According to the book, Carlson reportedly disliked Trump during his tenure at Fox News and occasionally ignored phone calls from the then-president.
More intriguingly, Carlson allegedly 'confided to multiple people' his belief that Trump, or possibly an intelligence service, was recording their conversations for potential future use against him. Instead of direct communication, Carlson reportedly used his platform—Tucker Carlson Tonight—to both speak to and influence Trump indirectly.
The relationship between the media personality and the political figure remains active, with Carlson visiting Trump in the Oval Office just last month. This marked his second appearance at the White House within a matter of weeks, though the Daily Mail's request for additional information from the White House about these meetings went unanswered.
Throughout the analysis, Zengerle emphasizes a particular perspective on Carlson's influence, suggesting that 'whether Carlson really believes the awful things that he says matters less than that he says them at all.' This philosophical approach to understanding Carlson's impact may explain why the book has struggled to connect with readers across the political spectrum during its disappointing debut week.
