Uploaded October 2009 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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From The Sun (UK):

JK ROWLING was denied a top US honour because President George Bush's advisers believed her books "encouraged witchcraft", it was claimed last night.
A new book reveals the Scots-based Harry Potter author was nominated for a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

But White House officials objected because they said she promoted SORCERY in her boy wizard series, which has been made into smash-hit movies starring Daniel Radcliffe

So they stopped JK receiving the US's top gong for civilians who contribute to America, world peace or culture.

The claim is made in Speechless: Tales of a White House Survivor, written by Matt Latimer, an ex-speechwriter for Bush.

He said "narrow thinking" led "people in the White House to actually object to giving the author JK Rowling a presidential medal because the Harry Potter books encourage witchcraft".

Others denied the privilege under Bush included Senator Edward Kennedy - because he was "too liberal", Latimer says.