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Harry Potter author JK Rowling has claimed in a bombshell interview that her comments about transgender people have been ‘profoundly’ misunderstood – two years after she liked a tweet that referred to transgender women as ‘men in dresses.’
Rowling, 57, made the comments in the yet-to-be released podcast called The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling – a self-professed ‘audio documentary’ that will see the British writer address the backlash she’s faced since the summer of 2020.
Hosted by political activist and journalist Megan Phelps-Roper, the audio essay features Rowling speaking at length about the controversies surrounding her – from book bans to fans swearing off her books entirely.
In a trailer for the new podcast, Rowling – speaking with Phelps-Roper at her $2.8million Edinburgh mansion – is heard insisting she never intended to offend anyone with her comments about transgender people, including her June 10 2020 essay in which the author expressed ‘deep concerns’ about the consequences of trans activism.
‘I never set out to upset anyone,’ Rowling can be heard saying in the brief snippet about the backlash she faced since that essay and a subsequent series of posts to social media.
The 57-year-old author made the comments in the yet-to-be released podcast called The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling – a self-professed ‘ audio documentary’ that will see the British writer address the backlash she’s faced since the summer of 2020
The series is hosted by Christian political activist Megan Phelps-Roper, who grew up in Kansas with a family that were members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church
‘However, I was not uncomfortable with getting off my pedestal,’ she adds.
Speaking about the fans who have accused Rowling of ‘ruining her legacy,’ the author said: ‘You could not have misunderstood me more profoundly.’
Such criticism, Rowling remarks, ‘has interested [her] in recent years.’
‘You’ve ruined your legacy. Oh, you could have been beloved forever, but you chose to say this,’ the writer said of the various barbs she has since been subjected to.
The series is hosted by Phelps-Roper, whose grandfather started the infamous Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas and was a member of the church until 2012.
The once beloved author endured a storm of protest since expressing ‘deep concerns’ about transgender activism in an essay in June 2020 in which she also described being a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault
Also a writer for the Free Press, Phelps-Roper writes on her website that ‘left a life of religious extremism in 2012’ to pursue her current career as a political podcaster and free-thinking journalist.
The Free Press, a relatively new, quasi-conservative media publication that surfaced on Substack last year, was founded by ex New York Time op-ed writer Bari Weiss, who resigned from the paper in 2020 after clashing with her superiors.
In a letter that charged the Times with colluding with social media giants such as Twitter in alleged efforts to suppress other stories, Weiss said she was subjected to unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge’ during her three years as an opinion writer.
Previously employed at the Wall Street Journal, Weiss was originally hired by the Times as part of an effort to broaden the paper’s notoriously progressive ideological range, following the inauguration of President Trump.
Rowling sparked controversy with series of comments in June 2020 that began with an essay in which the author expressed ‘deep concerns’ of the bourgeoning transgender movement
Her resignation drew considerable news coverage, with many accusing the Times of succumbing to the whims of rapidly growing ‘woke’ movement.
In the letter, Phelps-Roper – who calls Rowling ‘the most successful author in the history of publishing’ in an article advertising her new series – wrote: ‘Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences, rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions.’
She added of allegations that the Times and other paper colluded with Twitter to get selective news coverage: ‘Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times, but Twitter has become its ultimate editor.’
The later quickly made headlines, and was praised by prominent members of the GOP including Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Kelly Loeffler.
Donald Trump Jr., political commentator Ben Shapiro, Andrew Yang and political commentator Bill Maher were among other notable figures to hail her actions as brave.
The author has since been subjected to rampant criticism on social media – something she will address in the upcoming interview
Her newest project will feature interviews with Rowling conducted at her Edinburgh home, while looking at ‘some of the most contentious conflicts of our time through the life and career of the world’s most successful author.’
Rowling, a once beloved author who rose from homelessness to becoming one of the most celebrated children’s writers of all-time, endured a storm of protest since expressing ‘deep concerns’ about transgender activism in an essay in June 2020 in which she also described being a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Those criticizing her included movie stars she helped make famous – with the controversy also spurring headlines such as ‘Bonfire of JK Rowling’.
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling podcast comes from the independent media company The Free Press, is set to premiere February 21.
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