Rowling says Trump has a right to be bigoted

Published May 18, 2016
"I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable," says Rowling.─Reuters/File
"I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable," says Rowling.─Reuters/File

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling labeled US presidential candidate Donald Trump bigoted after receiving the PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award in New York.

Rowling, who won the prize for her efforts to fight inequality and censorship, criticized the presumptive Republican nominee, who has called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States.

Related: Trump worse than Voldemort, says J.K. Rowling

But the British author stuck up for Trump's right to visit the United Kingdom, despite the outrage his remarks had caused in her homeland.

"I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable. I consider him offensive and bigoted. But he has my full support to come to my country and be offensive and bigoted there," Rowling said to applause from the audience on Monday.

Also Read: Trump nightmare

In January, British lawmakers debated a petition signed by more than half a million Britons to ban Trump from Britain over remarks on Muslims, before deciding the Republican candidate should he allowed to visit so his views could be challenged.

Rowling wrote on Twitter last year that Voldemort, the arch-villain of her popular Harry Potter series which has been published in over 200 territories and spawned eight films and three theme parks, "was nowhere near as bad" as Trump.

Opinion

Four hundred seats?

Four hundred seats?

The mix of divisive cultural politics and grow­th-oriented economics that feeds Hindu middle-class ambition and provides targeted welfare are key ingredients in the BJP’s political trajectory.

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.