J.K. Rowling stated on Saturday that she has received death threats in response to her tweets in support of fellow author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed and is still hospitalized with serious injuries as a result of the attack.
The author of Harry Potter was among many public figures who wished Salman Rushdie well via the internet. Among those who tweeted their support for Rushdie were Stephen King and Hillary Clinton. Rowling, on the other hand, wrote after the attack that she was “feeling very sick right now.” One Twitter user responded, “Let him be okay,” followed by the warning, “Don’t worry; you are next.”
Rowling initially contacted Twitter Support in response to the user’s threats. Tweets from the user’s account praised Hadi Matar, the man arrested in the attack, as “a revolutionary Shia fighter following the fatwa.” Rowling then informed her followers that “police are involved (and had already been involved in other threats).”
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. Discovery, which currently owns the rights to the Harry Potter film franchise, stated in response to the threat on Saturday.
“We stand with her and all the authors, storytellers, and creators who fearlessly express their thoughts and opinions,” the company said in response to J.K. Rowling’s threats. “Warner Bros. Discovery strongly condemns J.K. Rowling’s threats.” WBD believes in the importance of free expression, peaceful conversation, and supporting individuals who express themselves in public forums.
“Sir Salman Rushdie and his family are in our thoughts and prayers following the horrific act of violence that occurred in New York,” they continued. When there is a chance of disagreement about opinions, beliefs, or thinking, the company strongly opposes any form of threat, violence, or intimidation.
Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, stated after the incident that “the news is not good.” The BBC reported on Sunday that Rushdie has shown signs of improvement, as he has been taken off a ventilator and is now able to converse. Salman is likely to lose one of his eyes. His arm’s nerves were destroyed. His liver had been punctured and harmed.
According to the Associated Press, Wylie said in a statement on Sunday that Rushdie is “on the road to recovery,” and that his “condition is improving.”