Best-selling horror author Stephen King says he is “shutting down” in the wake of Donald Trump’s historic victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton during the U.S. presidential election.
Voters were not swayed on Nov. 8 by a warning that Mr. King and thousands of other writers issued about the Republican billionaire. “An Open Letter to the American People” published by the website Lithub in May claimed Mr. Trump’s campaign appealed to humanity’s “basest and most violent elements,” but voters disagreed.
“No more book recommendations, politics, or amusing dog pictures for the immediate future. I’m shutting down,” Mr. King wrote to his 2.5 million Twitter followers early Wednesday morning. “One more thing before I drift away for awhile: A common sign in antiques stores reading IF YOU BREAK IT, YOU OWN IT.”
Mr. Trump obtained the 270 Electoral College votes needed to become the 45th commander in chief early Wednesday. Mrs. Clinton called to congratulate him, but she then waited until 10:30 a.m. ET to address supporters from the New Yorker hotel.
“We have seen our nation is more deeply divided than we thought, but I still believe in America and I always will,” Mrs. Clinton said. “And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power. And we don’t just respect that, we cherish it.”
No more book recommendations, politics, or amusing dog pictures for the immediate future. I’m shutting down.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 9, 2016
SEE ALSO: Stephen King vs. Donald Trump: Literary community demands ‘forceful response’ to campaign
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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