Stephen King Issues Apology on X After False Claims About Charlie Kirk

On Friday, author Stephen King took to X to apologize after making incorrect assertions about Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Kirk was shot at a TPUSA event, “Proof Me Wrong,” at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

King shared his apology on Friday morning. He clarified that he had mistakenly claimed that Kirk had advocated for violence against the LGBTQ+ community. “I apologize for Charlie Kirk’s supposed support for harming gay individuals,” King wrote. “What he really highlighted was how some interpret biblical passages.”

He acknowledged his error, stating, “I was wrong and I apologized. I deleted the post.” King also responded to a tweet from an account called “Defiant L’s,” which included a screenshot of his original statement.

Kirk, who had faced criticism for his comments, had previously expressed support for welcoming gay individuals into conservative circles. In a 2019 post, he stated, “I think marriage is one man, one woman, and gays should be welcomed by conservative movements. As Christians, we are called to love everyone.”

Since its founding in 2012, TPUSA has encountered backlash and protests due to perceived racist and anti-LGBT stances. Notable incidents involved a planned event in January 2022 that was moved online due to safety concerns and a violent incident earlier this year when retired swimmer Riley Gaines was attacked at a TPUSA event in San Francisco.