Trump denies being a ‘king’ amid nationwide ‘No Kings’ democracy protests

While President Donald Trump and his administration ignored “No Kings” protests criticizing the president over the weekend, Democrats praised the protesters for standing up for democracy.

The protest marks at least the second time “No Kings” rallies have been held across the country in major cities, including Washington, New York City and Los Angeles, since Trump took office for a second time, and organizers claim the protests run counter to his authoritarian policies.

Meanwhile, Trump backed away from the “King” label, as he and other Republicans mocked the millions participating in the rallies.

Protesters across the country are holding ‘No Kings’ rallies amid the government shutdown

“I’m not king,” Trump told reporters Sunday aboard Air Force One. “I’m doing my best to make our country great. That’s all. I’m not a king at all.”

Trump also called the protests insignificant and said those who participated did not accurately reflect the people who make up the United States.

“The demonstrations were very small, very ineffective, and people were suppressed,” Trump said on Sunday. “When you look at these people, they do not represent the people of our country.”

Although Trump refused to describe him as a king, the official White House accounts on social media had previously published a picture last February of Trump wearing a crown with a comment saying, “Long live the king.” Trump also reposted an AI-generated video originally shared by Vice President J.D. Vance, which depicts Trump placing a crown on his head and drawing a sword.

Additionally, Trump shared another AI-generated video showing him wearing a crown on a fighter jet over New York City, emptying what appears to be feces on protesters.

Watch: ‘No Kings’ protesters at huge rally in New York City reveal motivation to take to the streets: ‘Disgusting’

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. It needed a distraction from the government lockdown that began on October 1, although Johnson acknowledged that the protests were “an exercise devoid of violence and freedom of expression.”

“They needed something exciting,” Johnson said in an interview with ABC Sunday. “They needed exposure. Chuck Schumer needs cover right now. He shut down the government because he needed political cover, and this was part of it.”

However, Democrats said the protests were an opportunity to defend democracy. For example, Schumer said that “there are no dictators” in the United States, and that “we will not allow Trump to continue to erode our democracy.”

“Tyrants develop when good people of all different beliefs and backgrounds remain silent,” Schumer said in a social media post on Saturday. “This ‘No to Kings’ day says we will not remain silent.”

Additionally, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared a video of herself dismantling a plastic crown, seemingly evocative of when she tore up Trump’s State of the Union address in 2020.

“We’re going to tear the crown off!” Pelosi said in the short clip she shared on social media with the caption: “No crown. #NoKings!”

Unrest across the country looms as “No Kings” protesters begin gathering in major American cities

Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., commented, “We said no to kings, and we reminded the nation and the world what patriotism looks like.”

“From our nation’s capital to cities across California, millions stood shoulder to shoulder to say that our democracy is worth fighting for, that our voices will not be silenced, and that we will not sit idly by and allow a wannabe king to take our freedoms,” Schiff said Saturday, accompanying several photos of himself at the protest in Washington. “Proud to stand with you.”

Additionally, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said the protests reflect the democratic process in the United States.

“This is what democracy looks like!” Murray said in a social media post on Saturday. “We use our voices and votes. There are no kings in America!”