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Worried JK Rowling has declared war on president-elect Donald Trump, branding him a “bigot” who threatens democracy.

The Edinburgh author said people around the world must “safeguard open expression, amplify the voices of the vulnerable, defend truth against lies, and counter hate speech” since Trump’s rise.

Rowling launched the attack as she called for a defence of free speech for a group called PEN America, who support persecuted writers and promote literacy.

She said: “The events of the last month have many Americans feeling shocked and disoriented.

“So many issues are in flux and valued institutions in potential jeopardy.

(Image: Reuters)

“Last May in New York City, to some gasps around the room, I defended Donald Trump’s freedom of expression.

“I said then that, ‘His freedom to speak protects my freedom to call him a bigot.’

“Donald Trump has taken full advantage of his freedom of speech – it is now up to the rest of us to use ours.

“PEN America are ­galvanizing a community of writers and readers across the US and the world to safeguard open expression, amplify the voices of the vulnerable, defend truth against lies, and counter hate speech.

“Never has this work mattered more than it does today. If we don’t speak now, we risk forfeiting our right to speak later.”

Rowling’s intervention comes after Rowling rubbished Trump on social media in October.

At the time, weeks before the presidential ­election, Twitter user Gina Murray told Rowling to “mind your own business” because she was from Britain.

(Image: Reuters)

In reply, the author of the Harry Potter books said it was “everybody’s business” if “ignorant and easy to manipulate” Trump was elected, because of his proximity to the nuclear codes if he won.

Her tweet was retweeted 14,000 times.

The author consistently tweeted about Trump during the election campaign, letting her more than eight million followers know of her distaste for the Republican nominee.

After Trump defended his comments about women, saying he liked to “grab them by the p****”, Rowling said: “Trump says ‘just words, folks.’

“It’s his accusation and his defence. Words don’t matter. Facts don’t matter. If they don’t, we’re all lost.”