Stephen King apologizes after Elon Musk slams his false claim about Charlie Kirk. The author admits he posted without fact-checking.
Stephen King Responds After Elon Musk Calls Him “Liar”
Author Stephen King has publicly apologized after tech billionaire Elon Musk sharply criticized him over comments he made about activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently killed in Utah.
King, 77, initially accused Kirk of advocating violence against the LGBTQ+ community. In response, Musk, 54, fired back with a single word: “Liar.”
The backlash led King to delete his original post and issue a formal apology.
The Controversy Over Kirk’s Past Remarks
The dispute stems from an older remark Kirk made during an exchange about Biblical scripture. At the time, he referenced Leviticus 18, a passage that mentions stoning in relation to same-sex relations.
King claimed Kirk was openly endorsing this teaching. However, critics pointed out Kirk was citing the passage to make a broader point about selective use of scripture, not calling for violence.
King’s Apology and Reflection
After deleting the post, King admitted he was wrong to accuse Kirk without checking the facts.
“I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays. What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.”
The Carrie and The Shining author went on to add:
“This is what I get for reading something on Twitter without fact-checking. Won’t happen again.”
He later referenced a principle from Alcoholics Anonymous, saying: “When we were wrong, we promptly admitted it.”
Political Reaction
King’s comments drew strong reactions from political figures. Senator Ted Cruz initially called the author a “horrible, evil twisted liar” but later thanked him for deleting the post.
Cruz wrote: “All of us should treat each other with respect & decency, even if we disagree on politics. Charlie did that every day, and I admired him for it.”
Ongoing Investigation into Charlie Kirk’s Death
Meanwhile, the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s assassination continues. Authorities have identified Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, as the primary suspect.
Police say Robinson acted alone, firing from a rooftop with a bolt-action rifle. He is now in custody as the FBI continues its inquiry.
