Stephen King is never shy when it comes to voicing his opinions, but the legendary horror writer is facing backlash for his latest comments about the Epstein files.
Discussion around the Epstein files has exploded once again, ever since Elon Musk suggested Donald Trump’s name appears in the documents amid their ongoing, very public feud.
For the uninitiated, the files refer to court documents, flight logs, witness statements, and other evidence linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his criminal network. So far, the government has only released select documents, while others remain sealed.
Plenty of people have demanded for full disclosure, but perhaps no one expected the IT and The Shining author Stephen King to get involved. Warning: some may find this content distressing.
What did Stephen King say about the Epstein files?
King is facing criticism online after he mocked the Epstein file debate, alluding to the idea that the client list doesn’t exist. Taking to X/Twitter on July 15, he wrote, “The Epstein client list is real. So is the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.”
The tweet has been ratioed, with thousands of commenters voicing anger over his dismissal of the list and accusing him of downplaying the issue.
“Why would you post this? What did you possibly hope to gain from this take?” said one, while another commented, “C’mon dude. Clearly Epstein had clients who could be compiled into a list.”
“Guess it’s time to burn all my Stephen King novels,” added a third. A fourth chimed in, “Then why is Ghislaine Maxwell in prison, Stephen? Where did the flight logs come from? The accusations in court documents by women who were kids at the time?”
Others have taken the backlash further by suggesting he appears on the list himself, but it’s important to note that there is no evidence to support these allegations.
Is the Epstein client list real?
Despite the validity of the Epstein files, earlier this month, the US Department of Justice and FBI concluded that the speculated client list isn’t real.
It’s a widely held belief among followers of the case that Epstein had a list of high-profile associates who could also be implicated in his crimes.
The theory goes that he used the list to blackmail prominent figures involved in his international child sex trafficking ring, and that a single or multiple individuals on the list may have had him killed in prison as part of a cover-up.
In July 2025, the DOJ and FBI concluded an investigation into the list, with a memo stating: “This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list.’
“There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”
The investigation also concluded that, contrary to popular belief, Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell on August 10, 2019.
“The conclusion that Epstein died by suicide is further supported by video footage from the common area of the Special Housing Unit where Epstein was housed at the time of his death,” it added.
“As DOJ’s Inspector General explained in 2023, anyone entering or attempting to enter the tier where Epstein’s cell was located from the SHU common area would have been captured by this footage.”
Even so, the fact that a horror writer, whose works have been adapted into countless TV shows and movies over the years, has chosen to get involved has left netizens baffled.
Stephen King responds to the fallout
The backlash was so loud that King himself has responded, and he’s not backing down. In a follow-up tweet, he wrote, “Boy, I hit a nerve with that Epstein post. The ‘list’ is like UFOs: Everyone knows someone who’s seen one.”
Again, the post has been met with fury. “Rare L from Mr. King,” said one, while another simply asked, “Why don’t you believe in the Epstein list?”
A third added, “We’re just a little confused on why you’re siding with Trump on this issue after a decade of being his biggest critic. Care to elaborate on your position?”
The latter comment refers to Musk’s claims that Trump is on the list, with further criticism amid the DOJ and FBI’s conclusion.
Earlier this month, a series of House Democrats sent a six-page letter to the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, accusing her of withholding certain Epstein files to protect Trump.
“Your conduct is particularly worrisome as it appears to be part of a pattern of using the DOJ to cover up evidence of criminal wrongdoing by President Trump, including information allegedly contained in the Epstein files,” the letter reads.
“We write today to demand that you release the Smith report immediately, as well as any evidence mentioning or referencing Donald Trump in the Epstein files.”
It’s unclear why King got involved in the Epstein discussion, but for now, fans are not happy with his response.
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