Author Stephen King apologies after claiming Charlie Kirk ‘advocated stoning gays to death’
Popular American author Stephen King has apologised after falsely claiming Charlie Kirk had “advocated stoning gays to death”.
The 77-year-old made the claim on X just hours after the conservative activist was shot and killed while speaking at a university in Utah on Wednesday.
In a now-deleted response to a post made by American TV host Jesse Watters paying tribute to Kirk, King wrote: “He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin’.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The writer received immense backlash for his comment, with people saying Kirk had never made such statements.
American politician Ted Cruz said King was a “horrible, evil, twisted liar” who was filled with hate.
King later apologised on X, writing: “I apologise for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays. What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.”
The writer apologised again and admitted he had not fact-checked his statement.
“The horrible, evil, twisted liar apologises,” King said.
“This is what I get for reading something on Twitter w/o fact-checking. Won’t happen again.”
King had earlier said on X that Kirk’s death was “another example of of American gun violence”.
“Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray, and the murderer of Charlie Kirk: Cowards who shot from ambush,” he said.
Alleged shooter taken into custody
Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, according to a probable cause statement filed in court and released Friday.
A member of Robinson’s family reached out to a friend with information that Robinson had “confessed” or implied involvement in the shooting, Utah Govenor Spencer Cox told reporters Friday, shortly after Robinson was taken into custody.
Family members said Robinson “had become more political in recent years”, Cox said, describing a recent family dinner in which Robinson mentioned that Kirk planned to speak at Utah Valley University.
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said, referring to Robinson and an unnamed family member.
“The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”
— With AP
Originally published on 7NEWS
