Author Stephen King’s declaration that he’s “proud to be a Maine man” after Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills told President Donald Trump “see you in court” has gone viral on social media.
The legendary horror novelist praised Mills on X, formerly Twitter, for “standing up to the bully” after she defied Trump’s threats to withhold federal education funding from Maine over its transgender athlete policies.
King’s X post has currently been viewed over 9 million times and has 120,000 likes.
Newsweek reached out to a representative for King via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
The public clash between Mills and the president comes as his administration pushes for state and local leaders to comply with executive orders signed in his first month in office. The Trump administration is already engaged in legal battles with Illinois, the city of Chicago, and New York state over sanctuary laws.
The Maine dispute could impact federal education funding and set precedents for how states navigate conflicts between local anti-discrimination laws and federal executive orders.
What To Know
The confrontation occurred during a White House meeting where Trump questioned Mills about Maine’s refusal to comply with his executive order banning transgender women from competing in women’s and girls’ sports.
Trump’s order allows federal agencies to withhold funding from organizations that do not comply with Title IX as interpreted by his administration, which defines “sex” as the gender assigned at birth.
Maine has an anti-discrimination law preventing organizations from enacting such bans. When Mills stated she was complying with state and federal law, Trump responded, “We are the federal law,” warning that Maine would not receive federal funding without compliance. He added that Maine’s population “doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports,” despite some liberal leanings.
The dispute gained additional urgency after a transgender athlete won a pole-vaulting competition in Maine on Monday, having previously competed in the male category two years ago.
The U.S. Department of Education has subsequently opened an investigation into Maine’s education department and School Administrative District #51 over alleged Title IX violations.
King’s Life in Maine
The famed author’s support carries particular weight given his deep Maine roots and status as one of the state’s most prominent voices. Born in Portland, Maine, in 1947, King began his career teaching English at Hampden Academy, a public high school in Maine, while writing on evenings and weekends.
Even after achieving worldwide success with over 50 published books, King has maintained his connection to the Pine Tree State where he still lives part-time and regularly contributes to local charitable causes, particularly libraries, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.
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What People Are Saying
Author Stephen King on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: “Governor Janet Mills to Trump: ‘See you in court.’ Makes me proud to be a Maine man. Thank you, Governor, for standing up to the bully.”
Democratic Governor Janet Mills of Maine said in a statement: “If the President attempts to unilaterally deprive Maine school children of the benefit of Federal funding, my Administration and the Attorney General will take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that funding and the academic opportunity it provides. The State of Maine will not be intimidated by the President’s threats.”
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said in a statement to News Center Maine: “I oppose the President’s attempt to curtail funding for Maine and will advocate vigorously for our fair share of federal funding for Maine schools. And again, I believe that we must treat transgender people with respect and dignity. But it is important for state officials to remember not only the success that has resulted from Title IX, but the original intent behind that landmark law.”
Political commentator and MAGA supporter David J. Freeman responded to King on X: “FYI. Janet Mills political career ended today.”
Director of Gay Man’s Network Dennis Noel Kavanagh also responded to King on X: “If I had told you in the 1980s that you would cheer on men depriving women of sporting glory, dignity in their changing rooms or the right to fair play on school fields, you would have thought me mad. The bully here is you and your governor. Your victims are girls playing sport.”
What Happens Next?
The U.S. Department of Education has begun challenging local and state organizations seen to be ignoring Trump’s order, including in California and Minnesota.
