Stephen King, more than 500 writers, sign Trump protest letter

Some of the country's top writers are protesting Donald Trump's way with words.

Stephen King, Junot Diaz and Jennifer Egan are among more than 600 authors who added their names this week to an online letter that condemns the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for his "appeals to the basest and most violent elements in society."

The letter, posted on the website Literary Hub and credited to authors Andrew Altschul and Mark Slouka, "unequivocally" opposes Trump's election. Others supporting it include Amy Tan, Cheryl Strayed, Michael Chabon and "Lemony Snicket" author Daniel Handler.

The document adds that Trump "denigrates women and minorities."

The writers indicate that they oppose Trump "because the history of dictatorship is the history of manipulation and division, demagoguery and lies" and "because neither wealth nor celebrity qualifies anyone to speak for the United States, to lead its military, to maintain its alliances, or to represent its people."

"For all these reasons, we, the undersigned, as a matter of conscience, oppose, unequivocally, the candidacy of Donald J. Trump for the presidency of the United States."

The letter does not include an endorsement of either of the two Democratic candidates, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

With information from AP.