Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has joined the chorus of critics speaking out against Donald Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. In a tweet, Rowling expressed her disbelief at Trump’s policy and even compared him to one of her most feared and despised characters, Lord Voldemort.
“How horrible,” tweeted Rowling, sharing a BBC report on Trump’s call to ban Muslims. “Voldemort was nowhere near as bad,” she added.
For fans of the Harry Potter series, this comparison carries a lot of weight. Voldemort, the central villain in the books, is regarded as the most powerful and dangerous “Dark Wizard” of all time. His mission is to eradicate “muggles” (non-wizarding folk) and purify the wizarding race.
How horrible. Voldemort was nowhere near as bad. https://t.co/hFO0XmOpPH
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 8, 2015
Rowling’s tweet received widespread support from Harry Potter fans worldwide, hailing her as the “queen” of the franchise. But she is not the only one drawing parallels between Trump and infamous historical figures. The Philadelphia Daily News compared Trump to Adolf Hitler on its cover, while Senator Lindsey Graham called him “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.”
Trump, in response to the backlash, insists that his proposed ban is temporary and meant to allow time for the country’s representatives to fully understand the situation. However, the comparisons to fictional and historical villains have struck a chord with many, signaling the depth of concern and criticism aimed at Trump’s controversial policy.
