Stephen King's Reaction to Donald Trump Court Ruling Goes Viral

Stephen King's response to Donald Trump's gag order ruling is taking over social media, causing outrage among MAGA supporters.

The former president was found to be in contempt of court on Tuesday for violating a gag order in his New York hush money trial. The order barred Trump from discussing people involved in the case, whether publicly or on social media.

Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, determined that Trump had breached the order nine times, fining the Republican politician $1,000 per violation.

After the news broke, King hit out at Trump on X, formerly Twitter.

"The law-and-order guy found in contempt of court," the horror author wrote. "Let me say it again: Contempt. Of court. Contempt."

"The times we're in," King added. "I don't know whether to laugh or cry."

At the time of publishing, the post has received over 483,000 views.

Newsweek has reached out Donald Trump for comment via email.

The 76-year-old's message sparked mixed reactions among X users, with some commentors agreeing with him.

"Steve, the more he gets persecuted the more his poll numbers go up. Remember that," said @TexasKitty5.

"Well, his M.O. has never really been respect for institutions, despite which way the wind might be blowing at this moment," wrote Kinetic Zen.

"I think he wanted to be found in contempt, like what the common man or woman goes through under such trials when they choose to repeatedly run their mouths and defy the judge," said @CinnamonWSpice. "It will only help his fundraising efforts, especially tomorrow at those rallies."

However, others defended Trump. Al Tess told King that he should "stick to horror."

"You are irrelevant," agreed @KarlBorelli1.

"Tired of the liberal witch hunt on Trump," wrote @PatriotPointman.

"Please delete this and spare yourself the embarrassment," said @3YearLetterman, while @richarddicX said: "Stephen King is living his own horror [Trump Derangement Syndrome] fantasy."

Trump's New York criminal trial began on April 15. The 77-year-old is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, allegedly to hide "hush money" payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 general election.

Daniels said she and The Apprentice star had an affair in 2006. Trump has denied Daniels' claims and the fraud charges against him.

King is a long-time critic of Trump and has been sharing his thoughts on the trial.

"The Trump strategy is time-honored," The Shining author wrote on April 8. "Lie, deny, and hope they die."

On April 16, King claimed that if Trump were a "Black man, or a poor white guy," he'd be jailed for violating a gag order, suggesting the business mogul's wealth is shielding him from punishment.

The writer also mocked Trump's "Gettysberg" speech on April 14, dubbing the presumptive Republican candidate for 2024 a "dimbulb."

During a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, Trump discussed the Battle of Gettysberg, which took place in the state between July 1–3, 1863.

Some of his comments raised eyebrows, with Trump describing the civil war battle as "vicious and horrible, and so beautiful in so many different ways."