US First Daughter Ivanka Trump has unleashed a storm of criticism on social media for defending the impressive sales of a new book penned by her elder brother, Donald Trump Jr.
On Sunday, Ivanka tweeted:
"A huge congratulations to my brother @donaldjtrumpjr on the publication of his new book, Triggered. Jared and I were honored to host a celebration of his success in D.C. this past week. Congratulations, Don, on #Triggering so many with a #1 NYT bestseller!"
A huge congratulations to my brother @donaldjtrumpjr on the publication of his new book, Triggered.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 17, 2019
Jared and I were honored to host a celebration of his success in D.C. this past week.
Congratulations, Don, on #Triggering so many with a #1 NYT bestseller! pic.twitter.com/iQFmTCJv1I
The book, “Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us”, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list on 13 November.
This first literary effort by Trump, Jr. is said to offer his perception of the left and the tactics they employ, according to the author, to “oust conservatives out of the public arena”.
Among those celebrating the book sales was President Donald Trump, who tweeted:
“Wow! Was just told that my son’s book, ‘Triggered,’ is Number One on The New York Times Bestseller List. Congratulations Don!”
Wow! Was just told that my son’s book, “Triggered,” is Number One on The New York Times Bestseller List. Congratulations Don!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 14, 2019
Netizens, however, came down hard on Ivanka for lauding the book.
You look foolish promoting him
— Happy Hippy Girl Living The Dream ✌🏻 (@gpueschel) November 17, 2019
Especially for the first time just now, almost two weeks after her brother's book was released.
— Christine (@sis2catbat) November 18, 2019
Sort of the opposite of #BeBest
— Rich Swinton (@RicoSuaveJD) November 18, 2019
Where is your book, "Unqualified"?
— FP Smith (@fpsmith303) November 18, 2019
Many on social media pointed to the fact that there was a dagger symbol next to the book listing, indicating that some of the sales were “bulk purchases”.
It doesn’t count when you have to reach #1 with bulk sales. He’s still the loser he’s always been. pic.twitter.com/NW8zccy16n
— Jennifer O'Neill 🌊 (@Jenspends68) November 17, 2019
Is the Republican Party still giving away signed copies with any donation ?
— TED PARKER (@tedateconomy) November 18, 2019
That's gotta be a big boost to sales ,right !.
Please tell us how much bulk was sold so he would reach #1 .
— BobbieLenhoff (@BobbieLenhoff) November 17, 2019
— Tom Roberts (@twrobertsII) November 17, 2019
Daddy bought the books in bulk
— Debbie (@Debbie56111656) November 17, 2019
Hope you did not charge the taxpayers for this party?!
Other social media comments suggested that Don Jr. and his father actually had ghost writers pen their "bestselling" books.
Bulk buy for a book he didn’t actually write, just like dad!
— pcamp10 (@pcamp10) November 17, 2019
No. 1 on NY Times Bestseller List
Currently, "Triggered" sits atop The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and has reportedly outsold the combined sales of the Number 2 and Number 3 top books on the list.
In this case, most of "Triggered's" sales appear to come from bulk purchases and not individual sales.
Donald Trump Jr has responded to critics’ suggestions that sales of his book are being artificially boosted by deploring the fact the Times placed a "deadly dagger" next to his book's title and claiming the newspaper does that "to a lot of conservative books".