JK Rowling takes aim at musician Billy Bragg in latest trans row on Twitter 

JK Rowling ignited another trans war of words on Twitter with singer-songwriter Billy Bragg last night, when she claimed that “bearded men” define what a woman is, and suggested that he “throw.” [his] support for rape and death threats’.

The feud erupted during an interview with Graham Norton at the Cheltenham Literature Festival last weekend, where he strongly criticized the cancellation culture.

Bragg, 64, retweeted a video of the interview, saying Norton was “really good” on cancellation culture “and JK Rowling.”

The 57-year-old author then saw the tweet and attacked the singer, saying she’s “enjoyed the recent spate of bearded men confidently stepping on their soapboxes to define what a woman is and throwing their support behind rape and death threats.” .

But Bragg at no point in his first tweet defined what a woman is, simply supporting Mr Norton’s suggestion that people discuss trans issues with the parents of trans children or doctors and psychologists rather than refer to the views of celebrities.

After Ms Rowling appeared to suggest that both Mr Norton and Mr Bragg were ‘misogynists’, she received much criticism from social media users for the claim, for which she provided no evidence.

In Mr Norton’s interview, the TV presenter criticized those who claim to have been “cancelled” but who still have a large platform, and who write articles or are being interviewed on the matter.

He added that “cancel culture” is “the wrong word” and should instead be replaced with “responsibility” for what people say.

The interviewer specifically questioned Norton about JK Rowling in light of his comments.

He declined to comment on her stance on transgender issues, but said, “If I’m asked, I’ll be a part of it.

“My vote adds nothing to that discussion and I’m a little ashamed that I’m getting involved in some way.

‘If people want to shine their light on that, talk to transgender people. Talk to the parents of trans children, talk to doctors, talk to scientists.

“Talk to someone who can alleviate it in some way.”

Bragg shared the interview with his followers, saying: “Norton is really good here about John Cleese, telling him that ‘cancel culture’ is just accountability, and JK Rowling, suggesting that the media talk directly to trans teens and their parents rather than from just amplifying a celebrity’s shooting.”

But Ms Rowling quickly hit back, writing: ‘Very pleased with the recent spate of bearded men stepping confidently on their soapboxes to define what a woman is and support rape and death threats to those who disagree.

“You may mock, but it takes real courage to come out as an Old Testament prophet.”

She also seemed to take a thinly veiled swipe at both Mr. Norton and Mr. Bragg, claiming they were misogynists, adding in a reply, “I like beards. I just don’t like it when they’re attached to misogynists.’

Bragg later replied to her tweet, saying: “It’s hard to think of anything that better illustrates Graham Norton’s point than the sight of someone with 13.9 million followers responding to a call to hear trans teenagers and their parents honestly by equating it to *checks notes* support for rape and death threats.’

Her comments about misogyny sparked a quick response on social media, with numerous social media users questioning how Mr Norton had engaged in such behavior in his advocacy for people to discuss transgender issues with experts and those involved.

Vocalist Simon Curtis replied: “Graham Norton is a misogynist for saying the media should seek expert commentary rather than seek quotes from clickbait celebrities, and Matt Walsh, a living parody of a villain from Handmaid’s Tale, is your new friend?

“What have you become?”

A second said the author “lost the plot.”

JK Rowling has sparked multiple controversy over her views on trans rights in recent years and says she has received death and rape threats from people who disagree with her.

It comes after another recent high-profile feud in which Mrs Rowling went to war with Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Ms. Rowling labeled her a “destroyer of women’s rights” – wearing a T-shirt with the motif on it – and today Ms. Sturgeon has stepped up the line by suggesting that the author is not a “true feminist” – and she is.

The author took the action when she lent her support to campaigners who gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to protest the devolved government’s controversial gender reforms enshrined in the Gender Recognition Reform Act (Scotland).

But Mrs Sturgeon snapped back and said, ‘Offending men pose a risk to women – that’s what we should focus on.

“We should not try to further stigmatize and discriminate against a small, small group in society that is already one of the most stigmatized groups in society.

“There are many, many real threats to women right now, from physical assaults, sexual assault assaults to the abolition of abortion and reproductive rights to what women in countries in Iran are going through.

“The threat to women in our society today does not come from trans women, but from violent men, from lawmakers who want to take away our rights and that’s what we need to focus on.”