Stephen King Faces Backlash for False Claim About Charlie Kirk

Best-selling author Stephen King has come under fire for a controversial post he made after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The comment, which accused Kirk of supporting violent views, drew swift and furious backlash.

King, 77, quickly deleted the post and issued several apologies, but critics said the damage was already done. Many argued he had crossed a moral line by attacking Kirk’s reputation so soon after his killing.

The backlash has sparked heated debate online, with supporters of Kirk demanding accountability and even suggesting legal action against the author.

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King’s Controversial Comment

The trouble began when Fox News host Jesse Watters shared a tribute describing Kirk as “not a controversial or polarizing figure” but “a PATRIOT.”

In response, King wrote, “He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin’.” His post immediately went viral and was met with outrage.

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Critics pointed out that Kirk had previously welcomed gay conservatives into his movement and never expressed the views King suggested.

Fierce Backlash From Conservatives

Texas Senator Ted Cruz was one of the first to respond, calling King “a horrible, evil, twisted liar.” He accused the author of being dishonest and hateful.

Conservative commentator Dave Rubin, who described Kirk as a personal friend, said King was “more monstrous than any of the characters” in his novels.

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Rubin added that Kirk had treated him and his husband with respect during multiple personal interactions, challenging King’s claim as completely false.

Other Voices Join In

Many on social media echoed the anger, urging Kirk’s family to sue King for defamation. The sentiment online was that King had “crossed a line.”

Fox News host Laura Ingraham also weighed in, calling King “a sad, bitter man.” Her comment reflected the wider conservative frustration with his post.

The outrage highlighted how quickly misinformation, even from public figures, can spread and cause division in the wake of tragedy.

King’s Apologies

Faced with mounting criticism, King deleted his original post and offered a public apology. He even referenced Cruz’s insult in his response.

“The horrible, evil, twisted liar apologizes,” he wrote. He admitted he had relied on unverified information and promised it would not happen again.

Later, he issued a second apology, clarifying that Kirk had never called for violence against LGBTQ people. Instead, King said he had been misled by a misinterpretation of biblical debates.

Attempts at Clarification

King tried to reframe the conversation by noting how people “pick and choose verses from the Bible.” He said this was the real issue he should have focused on.

He then highlighted a statement from former President Barack Obama condemning Kirk’s assassination. King called the message “all correct” and supported Obama’s words.

Finally, he compared Kirk’s murder to historic assassinations like those of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., calling all such killings acts by “cowards who shot from ambush.”

FAQs

What did Stephen King say about Charlie Kirk?
King falsely claimed Kirk advocated stoning gay people, a statement he later admitted was untrue.

How did people respond?
Conservatives including Ted Cruz and Dave Rubin blasted King, calling him dishonest and hateful.

Did Stephen King apologize?
Yes. He deleted his post and apologized several times, admitting he had relied on false information.

Why did King’s remark cause so much backlash?
Because it attacked Kirk’s memory just days after his death and spread a damaging false claim.

What else did King say after apologizing?
He compared Kirk’s assassination to other historic killings and supported Barack Obama’s statement condemning the violence.