Acclaimed author Stephen King has reignited his critique of former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk.
This comes just months after King announced his departure from the platform, citing its increasingly “toxic” environment.
In November 2024, King expressed his discontent with Twitter’s atmosphere, stating, “I’m leaving Twitter. Tried to stay, but the atmosphere has just become too toxic.”
He encouraged his followers to join him on Threads, a rival platform launched by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta. This move mirrored a broader trend of public figures distancing themselves from Twitter due to concerns over content moderation and the platform’s direction under Musk’s ownership.
However, on February 21, 2025, King made an unexpected comeback to Twitter. He announced his return with a succinct post: “I’m baaaack! Did you miss me?”
Mere minutes later, he directed sharp criticism at both Trump and Musk, writing, “Just wanted to say that Trump is a traitorous, Putin-loving dips**t! Goes double for Elon!”
King’s pointed remarks highlight his ongoing disapproval of the alliance between Trump and Musk. Following Trump’s re-election in November 2024, Musk was appointed as the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
This appointment has been contentious, with critics questioning Musk’s influence over governmental affairs, especially given his South African birthplace, which renders him ineligible for the presidency.
King previously commented on this dynamic, stating, “You can’t call Elon Musk the President-elect, because he wasn’t elected. In fact, having been born in Pretoria, he is ineligible to become president. Nonetheless, he is running the show.”
The reference to Putin in King’s tweet likely alludes to recent geopolitical tensions. Trump, after a prolonged conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, described the exchange as “highly productive.” Subsequently, he cautioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to “move fast” against Russia’s ongoing invasion, warning, “You’re not going to have a country left.”
King’s return to Twitter and his unabashed commentary underscore his commitment to voicing concerns over political and technological developments. His critiques resonate with a segment of the public wary of the intertwining of political power and technological influence. As the Trump-Musk collaboration continues to evolve, figures like King play a pivotal role in fostering public discourse and scrutiny.
The broader context of King’s departure and return to Twitter reflects a growing discontent among users regarding the platform’s trajectory under Musk’s leadership. Notable personalities and organizations have exited the platform, citing issues like the proliferation of toxic content and disinformation. This exodus has coincided with a surge in users migrating to alternative platforms such as Threads and Bluesky, seeking more moderated and user-friendly environments.
As the digital landscape continues to shift, King’s actions exemplify the ongoing debate over free speech, platform responsibility, and the influence of tech giants in political spheres.
