It happened on a Wednesday in February 2025. Donald Trump, fresh off a victory regarding New York City’s controversial congestion pricing, took to Truth Social and hit the caps lock key. "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED," he typed. Then came the four words that set the internet on fire: "LONG LIVE THE KING!"
You’ve probably seen the memes. Maybe you saw the official White House social media accounts joining in, sharing an AI-generated image of Trump wearing a bejewelled golden crown. It looked like a parody of a Time magazine cover. But for many, the joke didn't land. The phrase Donald Trump calling himself king isn't just a catchy headline; it has become a flashpoint for a massive national debate about how much power one person should actually have in a democracy.
The Context Behind the "King" Remark
To understand why he said it, you have to look at the fight over Manhattan's traffic. New York had spent years trying to get a toll system running to charge drivers entering the busiest parts of the city. Trump’s administration moved to kill it. When they succeeded, or at least claimed victory, the "king" comment was his way of spiking the football.
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But it wasn't just one post.
- The Napoleon Quote: Just days before the "king" post, Trump shared a quote often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte: "He who saves his country does not violate any law."
- The AI Imagery: The White House accounts didn't just quote him; they leaned into the royalty theme, posting images of him in royal robes and crowns.
- The Historical Nicknames: Long before the presidency, Trump was known in New York circles as someone who viewed himself as the "King of Real Estate."
Honestly, if you've followed his career, the bravado isn't new. He’s always used royal or "chosen" imagery. Back in 2019, he famously looked up at the sky and called himself "the chosen one" while talking about trade with China. Later that same day, he retweeted a quote from Wayne Allyn Root claiming that Jewish people in Israel love him like he’s the "King of Israel."
Why People Are Actually Worried
It’s easy to dismiss this as "Trump being Trump" or just high-level trolling to get a rise out of the media. And for a lot of his fans, that’s exactly what it is. They see it as a funny way to mock "liberal snowflakes" who take everything literally.
But on the other side, the reaction has been visceral. New York Governor Kathy Hochul didn't mince words, stating clearly that New York hasn't lived under a king for 250 years and isn't about to start now. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker went even further during a state address, saying he wouldn't "bend the knee" to anyone.
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The Legal Tension
The reason this rhetoric sticks is that it's happening at the same time as serious legal shifts. In early 2025, the Supreme Court's previous rulings on presidential immunity were being tested in real-time. When a president says "Long live the king" while his lawyers are arguing in court that he should have "absolute immunity" for official acts, it stops feeling like a joke to legal scholars.
Basically, the concern is about the "unitary executive theory." This is the idea that the President has near-total control over the executive branch. Add in a dash of Napoleonic quotes about being above the law, and you can see why the "king" label moved from a nickname to a political lightning rod.
Real Examples of Monarchical Rhetoric
We should be clear: Trump hasn't actually tried to change his official title to "King." He’s still the President. But the vibe—if you'll excuse the term—is shifting.
- Executive Orders: There has been a massive spike in the use of executive orders to bypass Congress.
- The "No King" Protests: By late 2025, "No King" protests started popping up in major cities like Minneapolis and D.C., mostly in response to these social media posts and the administration's aggressive use of power.
- Third Term Teasing: He’s joked—or maybe not joked—about serving more than two terms, which is a big "no-no" according to the 22nd Amendment.
A Nation Divided by a Crown
Is it just a metaphor? For supporters, the "king" imagery represents a "strongman" who can actually get things done in a bogged-down system. They see a leader who isn't afraid to take charge. They like the gold, the crowns, and the defiance.
For critics, it represents a slide toward authoritarianism. They point to the Constitution—specifically Article I, Section 9, which says, "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States." To them, even joking about being a king is a violation of the American spirit.
The nuance here is that Trump is a master of "schrödinger's joke." He says something provocative, and depending on the reaction, it’s either a serious policy direction or "just a joke" that everyone is overreacting to.
What Happens Next?
The "king" comments aren't going away. They've become a central part of the 2026 political landscape. As we head into the midterms, expect to see "Long Live the King" on t-shirts at rallies and "No Kings in America" on protest signs.
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If you're trying to keep track of this, watch the courts. That's where the real power struggle is. The social media posts are the theater, but the legal filings regarding executive power are the actual script.
Actionable Insights for Staying Informed
- Verify the Source: Always check if a "king" quote is from a verified account or a satirical site like The Brock Press, which famously ran an April Fools' story about Trump declaring himself King of America.
- Watch the Official Actions: Don't just focus on the tweets. Look at whether the administration is actually defying court orders or Congressional subpoenas.
- Check the Constitution: Read up on the 22nd Amendment and the Emoluments Clause. These are the actual "guardrails" people talk about.
Ultimately, whether you think it's hilarious trolling or a threat to the Republic, the "king" rhetoric is a defining feature of this era. It’s a bold, loud, and very "Trump" way of testing exactly how much power a modern president can hold.
To stay ahead of these developments, monitor the ongoing litigation in the Southern District of New York regarding the congestion pricing halts. This legal battle is the most direct consequence of the "king" post and will likely set the precedent for federal overreach in the coming year. Follow the official court transcripts rather than social media summaries to get the unfiltered reality of the arguments being made.