Author Stephen King has sparked considerable controversy following his comments on a shooting incident at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
King pointed out the type of weapon used in the attack, stating on social media, “An AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle was used in the Butler shooting. These are the guns the Republican Party—and Trump—want to protect.”
Social Media Reacts to King’s Post
The author’s post quickly amassed over 780,000 views and a flood of responses.
Critics of King’s viewpoint were vocal, with one user responding, “For a fiction writer, Stephen King knows little about this subject. Stay in your fictional lane.”
Stephen King’s Political Comments Over Time
Stephen King has not been shy about his political stances, especially regarding Donald Trump’s influence on American politics.
He has been vocal about his views on the decisions made by the Supreme Court concerning the former president, accusing some justices of treating Trump as “above the law.”
King Criticizes the Supreme Court’s Role
In a post earlier in July on X (formerly Twitter), King expressed his concerns about the political direction of the United States.
He said, “Trump’s cronies are planning what amounts to a fascist state, and the Supreme Court is clearing the way for them. This should concern conservatives as well as liberals.”
King’s History of Opposition to Trump
Since the 2016 election cycle, King has been openly critical of Trump, participating in public denouncements and regularly commenting on Trump’s policies and actions.
His political commentary has been a consistent part of his public persona, aligning with his broader social and political commentary.
Fierce Online Debate Ignited by King’s Remark
Following his recent comments, King was met with sharp criticism on social media.
One user said, “You and the hateful rhetoric you spread every day contributed to what happened yesterday. You are part of the problem in this country.”
King’s Post Called Ignorant by Some Followers
King’s stance on gun control and his recent comment led to significant backlash.
Another X user stated, “The ignorance contained in this post disqualifies you from further participation in public discourse on this matter. The right of free speech enables you to continue. And the ignorance of your audience empowers you. God help us all.”
Discussion on Gun Control Elicits Varied Responses
The conversation around King’s post included broader debates about gun control.
One user pointed out, “Guns themselves don’t kill. People with guns do. And crossbows, knives, stones, candle holders, even books.”
Critics Advise King to Avoid Political Commentary
Responses to King’s commentary suggested that he might be venturing too far from his expertise.
One comment read, “Sit this one out, Mr. King. You’re out of your element here.”
King Accused of Using Tragedy for Political Gain
Some accused King of exploiting the tragedy for political purposes.
A comment from AnthonyScudier4 highlighted this perspective: “Four people Shot… One Dead, two in critical condition, and Stephen’s humanity sees this and thinks, ‘I can make this into a great political point on X and it should get a Lot of Impressions.’ That’s a VERY Dark, Dark soul…!”
Direct Criticism for Associating Republicans with the Incident
The criticism escalated with some accusing King of unfairly blaming Trump and the Republican Party for the incident.
This view is reflected in the comment: “What is wrong with you? Your first post about the shooting it to… blame TRUMP and the Republican Party!!”
Commentary from Former RSBN Writer
Ashley Muñoz, formerly of Right Side Broadcasting Network, criticized King’s focus on the weapon rather than the perpetrator.
She said, “A RIFLE DIDN’T SHOOT TRUMP, A HUMAN DID. Let’s focus on the criminal, not their device. Typical liberal idiocy shines brightly, from you.”
