J.K. Rowling faced a wave of reactions online after describing herself as a “left-leaning liberal.” This comment came in response to a post labeling her as “far-right.” Rowling shared the original post on X, where she was accused of drawing from “neonazi publications” and embracing a “far-right conspiracy theory” targeting trans people.
In her reply, Rowling countered, “You can keep telling yourself this, but you’re simply wrong. I’m a left-leaning liberal who’s fiercely anti-authoritarian, and if you couldn’t deduce that from my work you haven’t understood a word of it.” She clarified that she rejects strict ideological labels, stating, “I’m not an ideologue. I mistrust ideologies… I am an idealist. I believe in human beings… we are astoundingly collaborative and mutually supportive, especially when times are hard.”
Rowling added that her values remain consistent, but the “political landscape” has shifted. She explained that her former political home—a center-left party advocating for social equality and economic fairness—now focuses on “an illiberal, identity-based strain of politics… out of touch with the day-to-day concerns of regular people, particularly women.”
Rowling also remarked on forming alliances in “the TERF wars,” saying, “There are women with whom I make common cause… I don’t particularly care about their personal politics… there’s currently an assault on women’s rights unparalleled in my lifetime, and it’s coming from both left and right. If ever there was a time for women across the political spectrum to come together, it is now.”
Elon Musk reshared her post, sparking further reactions. Some users compared her to RFK Jr., while others asked why she still identifies with the left, despite recent backlash. Rowling responded, explaining that while she aligns with traditional left values, “the left in the West has taken a dangerous and self-defeating turn” but emphasized her commitment to “principles… not dictated by other people’s approval.”
One user commented, “i think the metric has shifted,” while another suggested, “No one’s reading all that. Keep it simple JK.”
