Senator John Kennedy's Book Becomes Surprise Bestseller

Folksy, self-deprecating memoir by Louisiana Republican outpaces other political books

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:47am

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A book by Senator John Neely Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican known for his regular appearances on Fox News, has unexpectedly become a bestseller, outselling books by other high-profile senators like Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer. "How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will" has spent 15 weeks on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list, including several weeks at No. 1 - a rare achievement for a book by a sitting senator. The book, which Kennedy dictated while sitting at his kitchen table, is part-memoir, part-insider account of the Senate, told in Kennedy's signature folksy and self-deprecating style.

Why it matters

Kennedy's book success is notable as it bucks the trend of typical political memoirs by senators, which are often dry policy-focused tomes. Instead, Kennedy has written a more accessible and humorous account that has resonated with readers, demonstrating that a conservative senator can also find commercial success with a book that pokes fun at the political establishment.

The details

Unlike many political bestsellers of the Trump era, Kennedy's book is not primarily about the former president, but rather a mix of personal anecdotes and insider observations about the Senate. Kennedy, an Oxford-educated lawyer who previously served as Louisiana's state treasurer, dictated the first draft of the book at his kitchen table using an old analog Dictaphone. The book's blunt title and Kennedy's frequent appearances on Fox News helped drive strong Amazon sales every time it was mentioned on the network.

  • Kennedy's book was published in late 2025.
  • It has spent 15 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, including several weeks at No. 1.

The players

Senator John Neely Kennedy

A Louisiana Republican senator known for his regular appearances on Fox News and his folksy, self-deprecating speaking style. He is the author of the surprise bestselling book "How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will".

Senator Bernie Sanders

A Vermont independent senator who published a book in 2025, but whose sales were outpaced by Kennedy's memoir.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer

A New York Democratic senator who also published a book in 2025, but whose sales were outpaced by Kennedy's memoir.

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What they’re saying

“He's able to make fun of himself, make fun of Washington, make fun of his colleagues, poke fun at just the whole process and system. Where is the book that fails that makes fun of Washington?”

— Matt Latimer, Co-founder of Javelin, a Washington literary agency that represented Kennedy

“Senator, if it's anything like the way you speak, that book's going to be a huge hit.”

— Jason Chaffetz, Former Republican congressman from Utah

What’s next

Kennedy has not indicated any plans for a follow-up book, but his success with this memoir may lead other senators to attempt a similar approach in the future.

The takeaway

Kennedy's book success demonstrates that a conservative senator can find commercial appeal by writing a more accessible and humorous political memoir that pokes fun at the Washington establishment, rather than a traditional policy-focused tome. This could inspire other senators to try a similar approach in the future.