He actually said it. On February 19, 2025, just weeks after his second inauguration, Donald Trump took to Truth Social and typed the words: "LONG LIVE THE KING!"
People lost their minds.
The context was the death of New York City’s congestion pricing—a plan he’d loathed for years. But the phrase itself? It hit like a lightning bolt in a country founded specifically to not have a king. Within hours, the official White House social media accounts didn't just share the quote; they posted an AI-generated image of Trump wearing a bejeweled golden crown, grinning in front of the Manhattan skyline. It looked like a mock Time Magazine cover.
Honestly, it was the perfect "Trump moment." It was designed to trigger critics, delight his base, and dominate the news cycle for a week straight. But now that we’re a year into his second term, looking back from January 2026, that "king" rhetoric has become more than just a social media troll. It’s a lens through which we can see how the American presidency is changing.
The Post That Shook the System
When that "Long Live the King Trump" post dropped, the reaction was predictable but intense. New York Governor Kathy Hochul fired back almost immediately. "We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king," she told reporters. She wasn't the only one. Democratic Representative Don Beyer and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker both went on the record to remind everyone that the U.S. doesn't do royalty.
But for Trump's supporters, it wasn't about actual monarchy. It was about power and results.
He had just successfully pressured the Department of Transportation—led by Secretary Sean Duffy—to pull the plug on the $9 toll for drivers entering Lower Manhattan. To his fans, the "king" label was a victory lap. It was a "middle finger" to the bureaucratic "deep state" and local New York politicians they felt were tax-gouging regular workers.
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Why the "King" Label Still Matters in 2026
We’ve seen a pattern since then. As of mid-January 2026, Trump has signed over 220 executive orders. That’s a massive number. For comparison, he’s on pace to outdo almost every president in modern history in terms of unilateral action.
- The "Napoleon" Quote: Just days before the king post, he shared a quote often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte: "He who saves his Country does not violate any Law."
- Article II Power: He has repeatedly brought up the idea that Article II of the Constitution gives him the "right to do whatever I want."
- The "Board of Peace": Just yesterday, on January 16, 2026, the White House announced the formation of a "Board of Peace" to oversee Gaza reconstruction, chaired by Trump himself, bypassing traditional diplomatic channels.
Is it Humor or a Roadmap?
The biggest mistake people make is trying to decide if he’s "joking" or "serious." The truth is usually both.
His communication style relies on what experts call "plausible deniability." When he posts a picture of himself in a crown or papal robes (which he also did in early 2025), his team can say it’s just a joke to tweak the "liberal media." But at the same time, the underlying message—that the President should have near-absolute authority to solve "crises"—is absorbed by his followers.
Take the recent budget showdown. We’re currently staring down a potential FY 2026 appropriations lapse. Trump has already signaled he might use "emergency powers" to keep specific agencies running or to divert funds, much like he did with the D.C. police department and the National Guard in 2025.
Critics call it authoritarian. Supporters call it "getting things done."
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The Reality of American "Royalty"
Legally, of course, the U.S. Constitution is pretty clear. Article I, Section 9 says "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States." You can't actually be a king.
However, the unitary executive theory—the idea that the President has total control over the executive branch—has been pushed to its absolute limit in the last twelve months. From firing Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer over "phony" jobs numbers to imposing $100,000 fees on H-1B visa petitions, the "Long Live the King Trump" era is defined by the President acting as a solo decider.
What the Data Says
Recent polling from Brookings suggests the public is split on this "strongman" approach. While his approval on immigration remains relatively high, his economic ratings have dipped.
- 47% of voters blame the current administration for high prices.
- 75% of Americans believe his signature tariffs are raising the cost of living.
- Only 29% believe his policies are actually creating jobs.
It turns out that even if you use the rhetoric of a king, you still have to deal with the reality of the price of eggs.
What You Should Watch For Next
The "king" rhetoric isn't going away, especially as we head toward the 2026 midterms. If you want to understand where this is going, stop looking at the crowns and start looking at the Executive Orders.
The real power isn't in a title; it's in the pen.
If you're following these developments, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Federal Register: This is where the real "king-like" moves happen. Watch for "Presidential Memoranda" which often bypass the public scrutiny of formal Executive Orders.
- Track the "Board of Peace" Appointments: Men like Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are taking roles that look more like a royal court than a traditional cabinet. Their influence on foreign policy in 2026 will be massive.
- Watch the Courts: The Southern District of New York is still fighting the administration over the congestion pricing reversal. These legal bottlenecks are the only thing standing between the "Long Live the King" rhetoric and actual unchecked power.
The 2025 "King" post wasn't a one-off joke. It was a mission statement for a second term that has redefined what the White House can do without asking for permission.