J.K. Rowling responds via Twitter to book-burning former fans
By Kat Tenbarge
People used to burn Harry Potter books over the supposedly satanic messages they contained. Now, they’re protesting the author’s anti-Donald Trump stance.
J.K. Rowling has never shied away from political statements on her Twitter account, but now she’s gone full attack mode on Donald Trump.
We're 13 days in and it would be a genuine relief to find out these speeches are down to mixing prescription meds and vodka. #unpresidented https://t.co/YxrVk9axFj
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 2, 2017
True to form, President Trump’s supporters are mad and they’re exerting their anger in flammable ways. Namely, by burning their Harry Potter books. And Rowling is eager to appease the Twitter trolls.
Guess it's true what they say: you can lead a girl to books about the rise and fall of an autocrat, but you still can't make her think. pic.twitter.com/oB7Aq6Xz8M
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 1, 2017
The author of the record-setting book series is probably rolling her eyes at the thought of manic Trump supporters even reading her work. After all, she subtlety crafted the Potter universe to represent a fascist dictator rising to power. Donald Trump may not be Voldemort, but Rowling has always been transparent about her liberal views.
Not only is she a huge supporter of welfare, but all of her main characters are marginalized in some way. Hermione Granger is a “mudblood,” meaning she’s the child of two non-magic parents, and people of her blood status are discriminated against. Ron Weasley grows up in poverty and even Harry Potter himself is abused emotionally by his aunt and uncle.
Two and a half out of six. pic.twitter.com/ZemXVFM5Rj
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 4, 2017
She even went so far as to joke about selling a “‘read one, burn one'” set of Harry Potter books, “for those who like the magic, but not the morals.”
Notably, Rowling isn’t just replying to her trolls. She’s taken screen shots of their tweets and carefully blocked out the handles. Maybe she’s just trying to protect them from the onslaught of Potterheads, but more likely she’s trying to prove a point: You can’t be a fan of her books and a fan of Trump. Her words.
*sighs* Well, who knows? If I try harder, I might be reincarnated as a lonely virgin hiding behind a cartoon frog. pic.twitter.com/EbocdxfJ5o
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2017
In case you doubted the tenacity of her Twitter presence, know that Rowling isn’t afraid to unleash a sarcastic, biting remark. She’s a huge critic of Trump’s #MuslimBan and isn’t afraid to show it to her 9.47 million followers.
Next: A small Canadian town is transforming into Harry Potter world
Well, Harry Potter fans, do you support Rowling’s Twitter tirade? Let us know in the comments!