Stephen King Apologizes for False Charlie Kirk Claims After Assassination

Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, author Stephen King sparked intense backlash by falsely claiming on social media that Kirk advocated stoning gay people to death. King deleted the tweet and issued multiple apologies, attributing his statement to reading unchecked information online and acknowledging it was a mischaracterization of Kirk's reference to Biblical passages. Prominent conservatives, including Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Mike Lee, condemned King's remarks as false and defamatory, with some calling for legal action against the author. Despite King's apology, critics highlighted that Kirk had previously cited a Leviticus scripture advocating stoning in a broader religious debate context, though he did not explicitly endorse such actions himself. The controversy underscores the rapid spread of misinformation on social media and its potential to damage reputations, prompting discussions about the importance of fact-checking and responsible commentary. King's rare public retraction highlights the heightened sensitivities surrounding political and cultural figures in the current polarized climate.