Stephen King Apologizes for Claiming Charlie Kirk Advocated for ‘Stoning Gays’
Stephen King issued an apology on Friday for falsely claiming that conservative activist Charlie Kirk advocated for stoning gays. The acclaimed author made the initial accusation in a now-deleted social media post following Kirk’s tragic death on September 10 at an event he was hosting at Utah Valley University.
In his apology on the social media platform X, King clarified, “I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays. What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.”
The controversy stemmed from comments Kirk made on his podcast in 2024, where he criticized children’s YouTube star Ms. Rachel for referencing God’s command to “love thy neighbor” in Leviticus, suggesting that this should extend to gay individuals. Kirk pointed out another passage in Leviticus 18 that mentions stoning individuals who engage in same-sex relationships.
King’s initial post received backlash from conservatives, with Texas Senator Ted Cruz calling him a “horrible, evil, twisted liar.” In response, King admitted his mistake, attributing it to not fact-checking before posting on Twitter.
King is known for his vocal criticism of President Trump on X, while Kirk has gained prominence in the conservative movement through his involvement with Turning Point USA and his support for Trump’s reelection campaign.
The apology from King coincided with President Trump’s announcement on Fox News regarding the apprehension of a suspect in Kirk’s shooting. Utah Governor Spencer Cox identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, who was arrested after indicating to a family friend his involvement in the shooting.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fact-checking and verifying information before sharing it on social media platforms. It also highlights the potential consequences of spreading misinformation, especially in sensitive and high-profile situations like the tragic death of Charlie Kirk.
