Stephen King has apologized after a false statement about conservative activist Charlie Kirk circulated online just as news of Kirks killing stunned his followers.Kings Post and RetractionThe 77-year-old horror novelist sparked backlash when he responded to Fox News host Jesse Watters defense of Kirk on X, formerly known as Twitter. Watters had suggested Kirk was not controversial or polarizing.King shot back with: He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin. The post was later deleted after users pointed out that Kirk had publicly voiced support for LGBTQ rights.King followed with multiple apologies, clarifying:I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays. What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.I was wrong, and I apologize. I have deleted the post.This is what I get for reading something on Twitter w/o fact-checking. Wont happen again.Sen. Ted Cruz quickly weighed in, calling King a horrible, evil, twisted liar. Kings reply: The horrible, evil, twisted liar apologizes.Kirks Killing in UtahKirk, 31, was fatally shot Wednesday during his American Comeback Tour stop at Utah Valley University. Police identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old who allegedly told relatives in recent months that he believed Kirk was full of hate.Robinson was taken into custody Thursday night after a daylong manhunt. Officials said he confessed, or at least strongly implied, responsibility for the shooting to family members.Utah Gov. Spencer Cox opened a press conference Friday with the words, We got him, before condemning the attack. Cox called Kirks killing an assault on all Americans and on free speech itself, stressing that political violence cannot be tolerated.Kings History of Online SpatsThe Carrie and The Shining author has never shied away from political commentary. A longtime critic of Donald Trump, King has referred to the former president as a bully and predicted that many of his supporters will eventually downplay their allegiance.Still, this weeks exchange underscores how quickly misinformation can spread, especially when amplified by a cultural figure with a massive online following.Source