After a significant hiatus, renowned author Stephen King has returned to the social media platform X, launching a direct critique at former President Donald Trump and business magnate Elon Musk. "Just wanted to say Trump is a traitorous moron and a Putin lover! Double that for Elon!" wrote the author of "It" and "The Shining," sparking immediate reactions across the platform.
King's reappearance on X is noteworthy, as he had previously announced his departure from the platform last year, citing its "toxic atmosphere." Following the presidential elections in November, he expressed intentions to migrate to Threads, Meta's alternative platform. However, he surprised fans on Thursday with a message asking, "I'm back! Did you miss me?"
Known for his political activism on social media, King has been a consistent critic of Trump and the Republican Party. During Trump's first term, he called for the president's removal and likened his immigration policies to one of his horror novels. His criticism of Elon Musk is also not unprecedented. King has previously questioned Musk's management decisions at X, particularly the introduction of a paid verification system and his spending on aid for Ukraine. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, King remarked, "What most of us learned as kids on the playground: you don't stand by while a big kid beats up a little kid. You might take a punch or two to get the big kid to stop, but that's the right thing to do."
The novelist's return to X coincides with the upcoming release of "The Monkey," a film adaptation of his 1980 short story about a cursed toy monkey. Some speculate that his comeback may be driven by promotional efforts for the movie, although his representatives have not commented on these speculations.
Stephen King's Social Media and Political Commentary
Why did Stephen King leave X originally?
Stephen King left X citing its "toxic atmosphere" as the main reason for his departure.
What are Stephen King's views on Donald Trump?
Stephen King has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, referring to him as a "traitorous moron" and consistently opposing his policies, especially on immigration.
Has Stephen King criticized Elon Musk before?
Yes, King has previously criticized Elon Musk for his decisions at X, including the implementation of a paid verification system and his financial contributions to aid Ukraine.