‘That’s got to hurt’: Boris Johnson pushes back as CNN anchor reads scathing book reviews

CNN anchor Jake Tapper didn’t hold back in an interview Tuesday with Boris Johnson, who appeared stunned as the host read reviews bashing the former British prime minister’s book – including one from a British newspaper that criticized him as, “a gossipy b----.”

Noting that the reviews of his upcoming memoir “Unleashed” have been “not particularly nice,” Tapper asked Johnson on his show “The Lead” what he made of the negative response to the book set to be released Thursday.

The on-air exchange continued with Tapper reading aloud review headlines, which the show also visually displayed for viewers to read along, “…including, quote, ‘How not to write a political memoir;’ ‘memoirs of a clown;’ ‘a memoir that’s twisted, sour and full of yet more lies;’ quote ‘he’s a gossipy b----,’ I’m just quoting here,” Tapper said.

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The last book review appears in the British newspaper "The Times."

“Well thank you, Jake,” Johnson said with a chuckle while attempting to interject. “Thank you Jake for call…” he said before the host paused.

“What was your reaction? That’s got to hurt,” Tapper asked.

“I’ve got to tell you that before this interview I sadly neglected to read those reviews, I’ve read some quite nice ones myself,” Johnson said, adding “There are plenty of people who seem to be buying the book and we’re doing very well.”

Johnson, who served as prime minister and leader of the UK’s Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022, said that his book “is overall a gentle, optimistic and uplifting book which also gives an account of some very difficult times for the West.”

Watch the clip below or at this link.