Author Stephen King drew sharp criticism on social media after responding to rape allegations against Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner with a Biblical reference that many users argued was taken out of context.
King commented on X after allegations against Platner became a major political story, posting that public officials should not be judged as though they were uniquely flawed.
“Tell you what–if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty. Jesus said, ‘Let him without sin cast the first stone,'” King wrote.
Tell you what–if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty. Jesus said, “Let him without sin cast the first stone.”
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 6, 2026
The post quickly generated widespread criticism, with many users arguing that the passage from the Gospel of John did not apply to the situation King was discussing.
An X Community Note was added to the post, providing additional context.
“This is referring to Graham Platner, who has been accused of rape,” the note stated. “In John 8:7, the woman to be stoned to death was accused of adultery, not rape. It is understood to be a powerful statement against hypocrisy, not a free-pass for politicians to rape women.”
“Love thy Nazi rapist.”
~ Jesus
— 🫃🏼💉🇺🇦🇮🇷🇨🇺Hollaria Briden, Esq. (@HollyBriden) July 6, 2026
The Community Note referenced the well-known account in John 8, where Jesus tells a crowd preparing to stone a woman accused of adultery, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Critics of King’s post argued that the passage addresses hypocrisy and mercy rather than excusing or minimizing allegations of violent crimes.
The discussion spread quickly across X, with many users challenging both King’s interpretation of the passage and the comparison itself. Some questioned whether invoking the verse was appropriate in response to allegations that remain the subject of intense political scrutiny.
You’ve cast so many stones Mr. King. I can’t believe your mansion is still standing. It’s good for you that ya don’t live in a glass house, otherwise, you’d be homeless you absolute freak!
— NukeTaco ™️🇺🇸 (@TacoforFive1) July 7, 2026
A day later, King appeared to clarify his position.
“Not defending Grah, Platner,” he wrote Tuesday on X. “If he committed rape, he should bow out. Just making a comparison.”
Not defending Grah, Platner. If he committed rape, he should bow out. Just making a comparison.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 7, 2026
King did not elaborate on what comparison he intended to make, but his follow-up acknowledged that, if the allegations proved true, Platner should withdraw from the race.
