Long Live the King? Trump’s Regal Claims and the Fallout from New York’s Congestion Pricing
By Just Another Friendly Occupier
There was so much noise on social media about this one that I had to look into it.
In a move that has left many scratching their heads and shaking their fists, Donald Trump, that master of dramatic flair, took to social media to declare himself a “king.” This proclamation came on the heels of his administration’s decision to rescind New York City’s controversial congestion pricing plan—an initiative meant to ease the crippling traffic that stifles Manhattan and fund a beleaguered public transit system.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” Trump blared from his Truth Social platform, as if he were addressing a court of loyal subjects rather than a nation grappling with democracy’s fundamental principles. To underscore this regal self-image, the White House circulated a cheeky mock Time magazine cover portraying Trump in a golden crown, pinning a U.S. flag on his lapel like a badge of honor. It seems someone’s been binge-watching too many royal dramas.
Governor Kathy Hochul, not one to falter in the face of such pomp, quickly fired back. “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” she declared, grounding us all with a reminder that the last time New Yorkers dealt with monarchy, they were busy sipping tea and plotting a revolution. Hochul went on to argue that public transit isn’t just important; it’s the lifeblood of the city. With her declaration, she added that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority had set legal wheels in motion to keep congestion pricing intact, showing she’s not backing down from this royal jest that Trump has attempted to pass off as governance.
Hochul wasn’t alone in her denouncement. Others echoed her sentiments, including City Council Member Justin Brannan, who made it clear that what Trump deems unfair isn’t up to him to undo. The federal government doesn’t just waltz into state matters like it owns the place. According to Brannan, Trump’s lofty self-portrayal as a ruler is little more than an illusion—a fantasy fit for a fairy tale, not reality.
Meanwhile, Trump has suggested that “he who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” a sentiment so rich it could probably buy itself a shiny crown. Channeling the bravado of historical figures like Napoleon, Trump seems to believe the laws of the land should bow before him. But as the good citizens of New York know all too well, governing isn’t a reality television show—it’s a grim and grinding enterprise that requires responsibility and respect for the public.
For perspective, the congestion pricing plan, which imposes a fee on drivers entering the heart of Manhattan, wasn’t hastily thrown together. It came after meticulous studies aimed at unclogging the urban chaos that we all see and feel daily. It’s a strategy to ensure our public transit system doesn’t just limp along like an old horse, but thrives. Trump’s dramatics may elicit cheers from his loyal supporters, but they fail to recognize the serious business of governance, which can’t flourish in the shadow of a self-proclaimed king.
As the dust settles and legal battles loom, one thing is painfully clear—the lines between jest and governance have blurred under Trump’s watch. While he might wear a crown and declare himself king in the digital realm, true leadership isn’t measured in grandiosity. It’s measured in accountability, respect, and the rule of law. So while the king may strut about in his virtual castle, those who cherish democracy will continue to remind him and anyone else who revels in monarchical fantasies that this is no kingdom—this is America.
In the end, as Trump plays the part of a king, let’s not forget: we resolve our disputes not through royal decrees but through the democratic process, and we have no crowns in sight—only the enduring spirit of a republic where “long live the conversation” is the battle cry, not “long live the king!”
Sources
| Author | Publisher | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAT Green | Weekly Constitutional | February 20, 2025 | The president who jokes about being a king |
| Rachel Raposas | PEOPLE | February 20, 2025 | Donald Trump Calls Himself ‘the King’ as White House Shares Fake Time Cover of Him |
| Alex Woodward | Yahoo News | February 20, 2025 | Donald Trump declares himself ‘king’ after striking down New York congestion pricing |
| Maya Yang | The Guardian | February 19, 2025 | Trump receives widespread backlash to social post calling himself ‘king’ |
| Benjamin Oreskes | The New York Times | February 19, 2025 | ‘Long Live the King’: Trump Likens Himself to Royalty on Truth Social |
| Yasin Gungor | Anadolu Agency | February 20, 2025 | ‘Long live the king!’: Trump declares himself king in social media post |
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