This Author Has Become the Most Banned in American Schools

Stephen King, one of the world’s most widely read writers, is now also the most censored in American schools. According to a new investigation by PEN America, his novels were the top target of school book bans in the United States during the 2024–2025 school year. In total, 87 of his books were challenged across hundreds of schools, part of a wave of censorship linked to new federal laws under Donald Trump and stricter state policies in Florida, Texas and Tennessee.

The scale of the bans

The report found that more than 6,800 book bans were attempted nationwide last year. King’s stories, long known for their explorations of horror, fear and human psychology, were repeatedly flagged for themes including violence, sexuality, and gender identity.

PEN America notes that while the overall number of bans is slightly lower than the previous year, the intensity of restrictions remains unprecedented.

Florida leads the way

Florida is the epicentre of the movement, with more than 2,000 books banned in the past year. Governor Ron DeSantis has championed legislation restricting LGBT+ content in schools, and his state, along with Texas and Tennessee, accounted for 80% of all bans nationwide.

The report warns that this trend has accelerated since Trump’s return to the White House, where new federal laws have banned works described as “racial indoctrination” or “extremist gender ideology.” School administrators, according to PEN America, are facing mounting political pressure and even threats of funding cuts if they fail to comply.

“This is still America”

Reacting to the findings, Stephen King wrote on X to his 6.8 million followers: “I’m now the most banned author in the US. 87 books! Maybe take one and see what all the fuss is about. Moral crusades against books can’t always win. This is still America, damn it!”

PEN America echoed that concern, saying: “Never before have so many books been systematically removed from school libraries, and never before have so many children lost access to so many stories.”

Despite the bans, King’s latest novel Sans Trembler has been a bestseller this summer, showing that censorship may keep his stories out of classrooms, but not out of the hands of readers.