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You want to burn your "Harry Potter" books and movies because you don't agree with J.K. Rowling's political views?

Go ahead, Rowling said on Twitter. But be careful with the flaming DVDs — the fumes "might be toxic," she wrote.

https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/826407039861653504


Rowling drew a storm of controversy after speaking out against the U.S. immigration order that has banned Syrian refugees indefinitely, and put the immigration status of many others into question. She likened tactics she was hearing about at U.S. airports to stories told by political prisoners. 

https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/825436783903125504


Not all of her 9.4 million Twitter followers were happy with her critical stance of the U.S. government and President Donald Trump. But Rowling responded with her trademark pith, even as followers told her that their "Potter" books were in flames. 

https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/826776134125772800


Rowling, who is British, has never been shy with sharing her opinions on the social media platform, even when told to "stay out of politics" by someone with the Twitter name "Mr. America."

"In free countries anyone can talk politics," she wrote. 

This isn't the first time Rowling has taken on Trump; during the campaign, she Tweeted 


Independent of Rowling, the "Potter" books have played an odd role in American politics all year: During the campaign, Sen. Elizabeth Warren compared Trump to a Death Eater — a member of Voldemort's army of dark wizards in the books.

https://twitter.com/ewarren/status/748217492925997058


(Rabid fans know that Moaning Myrtle's full name was revealed to be 

 — but Rowling said it was pure coincidence, and not a nod to the senator.)

 by University of Pennsylvania professor Diana Mutz, who surveyed 1,200 subjects, found that people who had read the "Potter" series were more likely to dislike Trump. 

"I think a lot of the identification of Trump's dominating kind of politics is something people associate with Voldemort," Mutz told 

Rowling isn't the only author sharing political views on Twitter, but she is certainly one of the most visible. With a net worth of 

 sold worldwide, the controversy isn't likely to touch her popularity, or her bottom line. 

https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/826782378886586368

Arts and Culture

The Thread® - Books and Literary News

Tracy Mumford

Author

The "Harry Potter" author has openly criticized President Donald Trump's immigration order, and not all of her fans are happy about it.

J.K. Rowling responds to fans threatening to burn "Harry Potter" books over political views

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