Author Stephen King’s joke about the peaceful coexistence of supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and supporters of former President Donald Trump has been widely shared on the Internet.
On a Thursday post On X, formerly Twitter, King, an outspoken Democrat and frequent Trump critic, offered his political take in a classic multi-party “walking into a bar” joke format. King’s version of the joke poked fun at the increasingly divided and often hostile nature of U.S. partisanship.
“A Trump supporter and a Harris supporter walk into a bar and have a nice conversation,” King wrote.
“It COULD happen,” he added in a follow-up post post a minute later.
Kevin Dietsch; Scott Olson; Astrid Stawiarz
Newsweek reached out to Harris and Trump’s campaign teams via email on Thursday, asking for comment.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said earlier Newsweek in response to one of the author’s many critical posts about the former president: “Stephen King is a complete idiot.”
Reactions to King’s post on Thursday were mixed, although some prominent figures said the political divide could be bridged peacefully.
“I just had a good conversation with friends in LA about Trump/Kamala” wrote X owner Elon Musk, who supports Trump.
I just had a good conversation with friends in LA about Trump/Kamala
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 22 August 2024
“This is how life should be lived,” YouTube content creator Scott Manley wrote.
“It’s possible,” filmmaker Sandi Bachom wrote“I’ve been interviewing the MAGAs for eight years, and I like what Clinton and Walz said about them being our neighbors. I always tell them, if we don’t talk to each other and listen to each other, it’s only going to get worse.”
It’s possible. I’ve been interviewing the MAGAs for eight years, and I like what Clinton and Walz said, which is that they’re our neighbors. I always tell them, if we don’t talk to each other and listen to each other, it’s only going to get worse.
— Sandi Bachom 📹 (@sandibahom) 22 August 2024
Others described the contribution of King, who wrote classic horror novels such as The Shining – The Wonderful World of Madness And Carrieas another example of “fiction” or they openly display their own political views and accuse the other side of making conversation impossible.
“There is no such thing as a Harris supporter. Most of these sheep (including you) would literally vote for a sack of rocks if the Democratic elites said so,” said pro-Trump influencer Matt Wallace. wrote.
There is no such thing as Harris supporters. Most of these sheep (including you) would literally vote for a sack of rocks if the Democratic elite told them to.
– Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) 22 August 2024
“Unfortunately, you can’t do that because you only talk badly about us.” wrote @ChewiesMama777, another pro-Trump account.
Unfortunately you can’t do that because you’re just talking badly about us 🤷🏼♀️
– Dawn 🇺🇸🙏🏼🩷 (@ChewiesMama777) 22 August 2024
“Impossible. You can’t reason with a brainwashed cult member,” says Harris supporter @DenisonBarbs wrote.
Impossible. You can’t have a rational conversation with a brainwashed cult member.
— Denison Barb (@DenisonBarbs) 22 August 2024
Meanwhile, even 75 days before Election Day, there is little sign that the candidates intend to curb their attacks on each other.
Trump has repeatedly falsely labeled Harris a “communist” and recently said he felt “justified” to attack her personally because he “doesn’t have much respect for” the vice president. Trump has also questioned Harris’ ethnic identity, claiming she “accidentally turned black for political reasons.”
Harris has spent less time attacking Trump personally, although her campaign team often mocks the former president on social media. However, the Democratic candidate frequently points to her opponent’s criminal and legal past in her campaign speeches, particularly that Trump was found guilty on 34 counts and civilly liable for sexual assault earlier this year.
