Stephen King And J.K. Rowling's Playful Exchange On Social Media

In a world where social media often leads to heated debates, a recent exchange between two literary giants has caught the attention of many. Stephen King playfully attempted to correct fellow author J.K. Rowling, as the two had an expletive-riddled social media exchange about her feelings on being labeled a "transphobe." This interaction brings to light the ongoing conversations surrounding gender identity and the backlash that can come from public statements.

Rowling, the acclaimed writer of the Harry Potter series, has faced significant backlash over her comments about transgender people for around five years. In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, late on Wednesday, she addressed the criticism she continues to receive. "Amazed this still needs saying, but some don't seem to have got the memo," she wrote. "If calling me 'transphobe' and 'fascist' was going to scare me out of speaking up for women's rights, it would have happened years ago. Whatever the square root of not giving a f*** is, that's where I am."

Responding to her post, which had garnered over 3 million views at the time, King flexed his mathematical muscle and suggested that Rowling might need to adjust her calculations to accurately express her feelings. "I think you may mean 'not giving a fuck squared,'" he stated. "The square root, I believe, would mean a *smaller* amount of giving a f***. I could be wrong."

On Thursday morning, Rowling playfully stood her ground in response to King's correction, which was viewed more than 500,000 times shortly after it was posted. "But I was going for a fraction of a f***," Rowling wrote to King. "I barely give a tenth of a f***. So I stand by my square root. What we really need here is a certified f***ologist."

As King is known to regularly engage in political discussions, some fans questioned the nature of his exchange with Rowling. One user on X asked, "Is he calling her out? I can’t tell," prompting King to clarify, "I’m not." This back-and-forth highlights the complexities of navigating public discourse and the different interpretations that can arise from seemingly playful interactions.

Rowling stirred controversy in 2019 when she publicly supported Maya Forstater, a tax specialist in the U.K. who was dismissed for tweets that were labeled as anti-trans. In June 2020, Rowling shared her views on transgender issues in an essay published on her personal website, stating, "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman... you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth."

In a separate incident in June 2020, Rowling reacted to an article referring to "people who menstruate," humorously questioning the terminology. While some trans activists labeled Rowling a "TERF" (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), she has remained steadfast in her beliefs. "If sex isn't real, there’s no same-sex attraction," she stated. "I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives." This statement has solidified her stance and sparked further debate in the ongoing discourse surrounding gender identity.

Despite the backlash, Rowling has articulated her respect for every trans person's right to live authentically. Her outspoken nature has led to significant scrutiny, with several actors associated with the Harry Potter franchise publicly disagreeing with her views. In July 2021, Rowling revealed she had received a "pipebomb" threat amid the backlash over her comments on trans women.

Rowling continues to address the challenges she faces, tweeting in support of singer Macy Gray, who also faced backlash for her comments on gender. Rowling's response underscores the severity of online harassment: "Endless death and rape threats, threats of loss of livelihood... aren't 'mean comments.' If you don’t yet understand what happens to women who stand up on this issue, back off."