It was just another Wednesday in February 2025 until the notifications started screaming. Honestly, if you’ve followed American politics for more than five minutes, you know Donald Trump isn’t exactly a "subtle" guy. But even for him, the Truth Social post that dropped on February 19, 2025, felt different. It wasn't just a political jab; it was a full-blown aesthetic choice.
Trump long live the king—those were the words that basically set the internet on fire.
He wasn't just talking about a poll or a rally. He was celebrating a specific policy win: the death of New York City’s congestion pricing. The Department of Transportation, under Secretary Sean Duffy, had just pulled the plug on the plan to charge drivers $9 to enter Lower Manhattan. Trump, a man who built his brand on the New York skyline, was ecstatic. He posted: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
The Image That Broke the Feed
It didn't stop with a text post. The official White House social media accounts—now back under Trump’s control after his 2024 victory—decided to lean all the way in. They shared an AI-generated image that looked like a Time magazine cover. There he was: Donald Trump, grinning ear-to-ear, wearing a massive, bejeweled golden crown.
The caption? You guessed it. Trump long live the king.
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Critics lost their minds. Supporters bought the t-shirts within the hour. It was a classic Trump moment—half trolling, half power play, and 100% designed to dominate the news cycle for the next 72 hours.
Why the Phrase Actually Matters (and Why It’s Weird)
Historically, "The King is dead, long live the King!" is a French proclamation from the 1400s. It’s meant to show that the "office" of the monarchy never dies, even when the person does. In a Republic like the United States, which literally fought a war to get away from kings, using it is... well, it's a choice.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul didn't find the joke funny. She fired back almost immediately, saying, “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years. We sure as hell are not going to start now.” She even signed off a message to him with “See you in court, George,” a biting reference to King George III.
Other leaders joined the fray. JB Pritzker, the Governor of Illinois, used his State of the State address to tell his constituents he wouldn't "bend the knee." It’s kinda fascinating how a single four-word phrase can trigger a constitutional debate in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon.
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More Than Just a Meme?
Some legal experts, like those interviewed by Truthout and The Guardian, pointed out that this wasn't just about a crown on a screen. They linked the trump long live the king sentiment to his long-standing view of Article II of the Constitution. Remember when he said it gives him "the right to do whatever I want as president"?
To his base, the "King" label isn't about literal monarchy. It’s about a "strongman" who can cut through red tape, stop "unfair" taxes like congestion pricing, and ignore the "Deep State." For them, the phrase is a badge of honor against a system they think is broken.
What’s Really Going On with the "Monarchist" Imagery?
The 2024 election victory changed the vibe of the MAGA movement. It’s no longer just about "making" America great; it’s about a sense of permanent victory. We’ve seen other slogans like "Drill Baby Drill" or "Trump-Vance 2024," but the "King" imagery is a new level of branding.
Interestingly, the phrase has popped up in weird places lately. In early 2026, protesters in Iran were even spotted spray-painting "Long live the King" (referring to their own former monarchy) during anti-government protests, which Trump’s team actually amplified on social media. It seems the word "King" has become a shorthand for "The guy the establishment hates but the people (supposedly) love."
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Actionable Insights: How to Navigate the Noise
If you're trying to keep your head straight in this media environment, here’s how to handle the trump long live the king rhetoric:
- Separate Policy from Posturing: The "King" post was specifically about the NYC congestion pricing reversal. Whether you love or hate the crown, the actual news was a major shift in urban transportation policy.
- Check the Source of the Art: Almost all the "King Trump" imagery circulating is AI-generated. It’s designed for engagement, not for a history book.
- Watch the Courts: While the White House posts memes, the states (like New York) are filing real lawsuits. The actual power struggle is happening in the Southern District of New York, not on Truth Social.
The 2025-2026 political landscape is messy, loud, and full of royal metaphors. Whether you see a savior or a threat, the "King" era of political branding is definitely here to stay for the foreseeable future.
To keep up with the latest on the NYC congestion pricing legal battle, you should follow the official updates from the New York Governor's office and the US Department of Transportation.