Celebrated conservative writer and humorist P.J. O’Rourke has reportedly passed away. He was 74.
This is a real loss. PJ O'Rourke, dead at 74.
RIP pic.twitter.com/yX59zXqb1A
— Ryan Prong (@RyanProng) February 15, 2022
He was far too young. Still had so much more to say.
This one hurts.
Oh man, awful news. RIP to one of the all-timers. https://t.co/N35H5jbr1A
— Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) February 15, 2022
RIP, P.J. O'Rourke, you absolute genius. "Parliament of Whores" is what got me into political writing.
— Jon Gabriel (@exjon) February 15, 2022
Oh, no. Say it ain't so! Dammit. https://t.co/AXeatqsRkK
— Eric H. (@ericinva) February 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/SethAMandel/status/1493665522776477700
O’Rourke’s fans are recalling some of his best work:
"It takes a village to raise a child. The government is the village. You are the child."
RIP PJ— Matthew Continetti (@continetti) February 15, 2022
"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” — P.J. O'Rourke
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) February 15, 2022
The dedication of P.J. O'Rourke's GIVE WAR A CHANCE: pic.twitter.com/5ugxU78Zkr
— Jack Butler (@jackbutler4815) February 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/GPollowitz/status/1493664147166441473
https://twitter.com/NoahPollak/status/1493664877105356800
https://twitter.com/EdWhelanEPPC/status/1493664389966311424
Maybe someday it will be.
PJ O’Rourke was one of the nicest writers I ever had the pleasure of meeting and drinking and (very rarely) corresponding with. No reason whatsoever for him to be decent to some junior editor at one of the many outlets he wrote for, and yet. What a loss.
— Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) February 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/NoahCRothman/status/1493663651571671047
Man, P.J. O'Rourke. What horrible news. Just awful. Yeah, he was a unique talent. But he was also just a really good dude. R.I.P.
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahDispatch) February 15, 2022
A hero and an inspiration. A brilliantly funny, sneaky smart writer and the ideal drinking companion. He did the impossible: he made you laugh at the bad news. Except for today. P. J. O’Rourke. Irreplaceable. pic.twitter.com/KiqKFkwJoH
— Rob Long (@rcbl) February 15, 2022
Damn. RIP. The definitive happy warrior; few have so happily intertwined conservative thought and instincts with absolute hilarity and humor. https://t.co/UopeGXnVWh
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) February 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/foster_type/status/1493664793089163269
Perhaps what would be the most impressive thing, though, is if P.J. O’Rourke hadn’t really died after all.
Could it have been a mistake?
Are you sure it's this PJ O'Rourke? A 90-year old Irish journalist by the same name has died.
— Dr. Alison Meek (@Aly_Meek) February 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/ArminRosen/status/1493665259999145985
https://twitter.com/StillCrankyAF/status/1493671876962443269
Indeed, O’Rourke would be fortunate to still be here to read all the lovely things being said about him. And as some people are pointing out, this sort of mixup would actually be pretty on-brand for him:
https://twitter.com/Yair_Rosenberg/status/1493667178276610055
If the initial announcement got it wrong, it's going to make for a great PJ O'Rourke column.
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) February 15, 2022
Guys, with respect to P.J. O'Rourke, alive or dead, I want you to know that there was an editing fight on the issue on his Wikipedia page and they've temporarily declared reports of his death premature; I feel that if he cared, alive or dead, he'd be tickled.
— (((Not That Crown, Maybe))) (@CrownMaybe) February 15, 2022
Hope springs eternal.
Unfortunately in this case, the initial reports appear to be true:
I just confirmed with PJ’s publicist that it’s true. RIP, my friend. You’ll be deeply, deeply missed. Damnit. pic.twitter.com/yN4wtkNdWK
— Drew Cline (@DrewHampshire) February 15, 2022
I'm afraid it's true. Our panelist and my dear friend PJ O'Rourke has passed away. More later.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) February 15, 2022
Ugh. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/jPzgtHpUsu
— Ramesh Ponnuru (@RameshPonnuru) February 15, 2022
What a mind. So funny. Incredible writer. RIP
— Louis (@LouisOfDaytwa) February 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/dewine_sucks/status/1493678285338861574
Had hoped it was a trending mistake, but that’s not looking likely. Few writers I’ve ever read felt like they had such a great time as they were giving you a great time.
— Aelfred The Great (@aelfred_D) February 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/ellencarmichael/status/1493677869729562630
P.J. O’Rourke was truly one of a kind. His death is not just a loss for political junkies or humor junkies, but for all those who appreciate genuine brilliance.
Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Now that it’s confirmed by his publicist: RIP PJ O’Rourke. Thanks for everything.
— Sunny McSunnyface (@sunnyright) February 15, 2022
Thank you, Mr. O’Rourke.
Solidly confirmed now, so once again, crap. RIP P.J. O'Rourke, one of the funniest MFs ever to trod the earth.
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) February 15, 2022