Stephen King called the Wednesday train crash involving Republican members of Congress “karma,” and people let him have it.
“A trainload of Republicans on their way to a pricey retreat hit a garbage truck. My friend Russ calls that ‘karma,'” the author, known for his work with horror and science fiction novels, tweeted Thursday following the train crash in West Virginia that left one person dead and others injured.
Emergency first responders work at the scene of the crash where an Amtrak passenger train carrying Republican members of the U.S. Congress from Washington to a retreat in West Virginia collided with a garbage truck in Crozet, Virginia, U.S. January 31, 2018. Justin Ide/Crozet Volunteer Fire Department/Handout via REUTERS
A trainload of Republicans on their way to a pricey retreat hit a garbage truck. My friend Russ calls that karma.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 1, 2018
One follower called him out for “toxic speech”
“And that, ladies & gents, is beautifully emblematic of the toxic speech currently in American party politics. Does that sound like a productive conversation to build a better future? Treating political opponents as ‘enemies’ gets us nowhere. Aim for truthful dialogue.”
And that, ladies & gents, is beautifully emblematic of the toxic speech currently in American party politics. Does that sound like a productive conversation to build a better future? Treating political opponents as ‘enemies’ gets us nowhere. Aim for truthful dialogue.
— Jendago S (@Jenglish1987) February 1, 2018
“A man died in that crash, you despicable man,” Piers Morgan tweeted.
A man died in that crash, you despicable man. https://t.co/MWfDsJEJYG
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 1, 2018
When they go low, Stephen King goes lower.
— Benjamin4Real (@bentipede) February 1, 2018
Karma goes both ways. If you really find the loss of life and people being injured something to relish because they don’t share your political views, you really should take a hard look at yourself. #stephenKing #purposeinlife
— TryToBeNice (@chicktotheright) February 1, 2018
Really? One dead and one critical. However because republicans were on the train you find that to be Karma? The hatred on the left has zero boundaries
— Fletch Davis (@DavisFletch) February 1, 2018
Wow thought you were better than this, men women and children in a train crash that cost somebody their life but whatever it’s karma because they don’t have the same political view as you. Have a look at yourself.
— Hey You Guys (@PapaFratelli) February 1, 2018
In response, King followed up his tweet with a second that read, “Of COURSE sorry the truck driver died.”
Of COURSE sorry the truck driver died.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 1, 2018
And a short time later, he issued an apology for the “thoughtless tweet.”
A rather thoughtless tweet from me concerning the train-truck crash, for which I apologize (if one is necessary). It should be pointed out, too, that those Republican politicians, who can be heartless when they vote, immediately got out to help.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 1, 2018