This past Saturday, cities all across the United States witnessed a massive turnout as countless individuals gathered to protest President Donald Trump’s policies. These demonstrations, collectively termed the “No Kings” protests, saw millions of Americans vocalizing their stance against what they consider an alarming overreach of presidential power.
The streets of major metropolitan areas, including New York, Washington D.C., Miami, and Los Angeles, were teeming with people expressing their concerns over what they describe as President Trump’s attempt at an “authoritarian power grab.” Notably, renowned Democrats such as Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Adam Schiff, Chuck Schumer, and Raphael Warnock marched alongside, hailing the protests as a crucial defense of democracy.
Held in more than 2,500 cities across all 50 states, the “No Kings” movement was marked by protestors carrying banners that read: “Democracy, Not Monarchy” and “The Constitution Is Not Optional.” The atmosphere was charged with a determination to uphold democratic values.
Colleen Connell, serving as the executive director of the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, emphasized to CNN, “We’re witnessing millions join us today. The message is clear; our country belongs to the people, and we are committed to safeguarding democracy through peaceful protest and dissent.”
However, while citizens called for a reduction in presidential authority, President Trump’s response was unexpected and further ignited public anger.
Shocking Response from Trump
Amid ‘No Kings’ uprising, Trump shares AI video of himself flying fighter jet, dropping 💩on protesters pic.twitter.com/hqSzuugBkx
— The Shot Review (@GloryHoleshow) October 19, 2025
Instead of addressing the concerns of the protesters, President Trump took to social media, sharing a peculiar video created using artificial intelligence. The video depicted him piloting a fighter jet dubbed “KING TRUMP.” Set to the dynamic tune of Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone” from Top Gun, the video showed Trump flying over New York City, adorned with a golden crown, and dropping what looked like sewage on the crowds below.
Accompanying the major uprisings, Vice President JD Vance contributed to the situation by posting another meme on Bluesky. This provocative image showed prominent Democrats appearing to kneel before Trump in a regal setting.
The public’s response, not surprisingly, was immediate and intense. People online were quick to voice their feelings. One Reddit user remarked, “Imagine if any other president ever pulled a stunt like this…,” while another commented, “It’s unbelievable that a head of state would behave in such a manner.” A third emphasized the shock, “Every action he takes makes me wonder if this is real life. He’s meant to be a mature leader.”
Embracing the Image of a “King”
Adding to the initial video, Trump shared another clip via Variety, portraying himself placing a crown upon his own head to the soundtrack of “Hail to the King” by Avenged Sevenfold. Despite facing backlash, Trump remained unperturbed. During a preview of an interview with Fox News, he appeared amused while addressing the sweeping criticism: “A king! That’s quite a title. You know — they’re calling me a king. But I’m not a king.”
Furthermore, Trump dismissed Saturday’s wide-reaching protests as merely a “joke,” dismissively referring to the turnout as “quite small, very ineffective.”
Trump continued to undermine the demonstrations, stating, “Those involved seemed completely out of touch,” trivializing the efforts of those who rallied nationwide. Speaking aboard Air Force One the following day, he added, “These protestors aren’t representative of our nation’s people.”
Republican Response
House Speaker Mike Johnson did not hold back, harshly criticizing the demonstrations and calling them “Hate America” protests. He also accused his Democratic opponents of “cashing in by selling T-shirts for the rally.” He went on to claim, “They’re reportedly delaying government operations until the rallies conclude as they can’t confront their zealous supporters,” referring to the ongoing government shutdown.
In response, the No Kings movement issued a statement through Politico, saying, “Instead of focusing on reopening the government, providing affordable healthcare, or reducing everyday expenses for working Americans, he’s choosing to attack millions who are coming together peacefully to affirm America belongs to its citizens — not its rulers.”