Donald Trump has the right to as “bigoted and offensive” as he wants, according to J.K. Rowling.
Speaking Monday night before hundreds gathered for PEN America’s annual gala at the American Museum of Natural History, the “Harry Potter” creator noted that she opposed a recent petition calling for banning the presumptive Republican presidential nominee from entering the United Kingdom, saying such actions endanger everyone’s rights.
“I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable. I consider him offensive and bigoted,” said the British author.
“But he has my full support to come to my country and be offensive and bigoted there.”
Rowling appeared at the event to accept PEN’s Literary Service Award for her “extraordinary creativity” and for her efforts on behalf of institutionalized children and other humanitarian causes. PEN – the literary and human rights organization – honoured advocates for speech and prisoners of censorship worldwide, from Egypt to Flint, Michigan.
During the event, Rowling cited her clashes with censors over her Potter books, which religious groups have accused of inspiring Satanism. She pointed out that her work has appeared on lists of banned books and recalled an unnerving encounter with a Christian fundamentalist in a New York toy shop.
“I had no idea the phrase ‘I pray for you’ could sound so intimidating,” she said.
But Rowling, who has shared sharp opinions about Trump and others on her Twitter feed, also called herself lucky to live in a part of the world where speech is protected and accepted that some would object to her work.
“My critics are at liberty to claim that I am trying to convert children to Satanism,” she said. “And I’m free to explain I’m exploring human nature and morality – or to say ‘You’re an idiot.”‘
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