Simon & Schuster canceled a book deal with U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) over his comments surrounding the 2020 presidential election. The company does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees. Simon & Schuster's parent company, Paramount has also donated to the Equality PAC. Simon & Schuster features LGBT book collections on its website. However, It has not used its corporate funds to advance ideological. For these reasons, Simon & Schuster receives a High Risk rating. Note: Penguin Random House (parent company, Bertelsmann) made an offer to buy Simon & Schuster in late 2020. The sale from its current parent company, Paramount Global, was blocked by the Justice Department in a antitrust lawsuit. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is now trying to buy Simon & Schuster.