Trump Is No King — And He’s Said So, Repeatedly
In recent months, Democrats and progressive activists have revived a familiar talking point: that Donald Trump harbors monarchical ambitions. From protests labeled “No Kings” to endless social media debates, critics are insisting that Trump views himself as above the law — an autocrat in waiting.
But there’s a problem with that narrative: Trump himself has publicly and repeatedly rejected the idea that he is a king.
He’s Said It — More Than Once
In a June 2025 interview addressing the upcoming nationwide “No Kings” protests, Trump said:
“I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved… No no, we’re not a king, we’re not a king at all.” — Newsweek, TIME
In the same interview he gave the example:
“A king would say ‘I’m not going to get this …’ he wouldn’t have to call up [House Speaker] Mike Johnson and [Senate Majority Leader] John Thune …” — Newsweek, The Independent
This is significant because he is pointing out that he still has to negotiate, call people, get approval — which is the opposite of a monarch who rules unchecked.
At another event — for example, signing a bill or speaking in the White House — he reiterated similar wording:
“I don’t feel like a king,” when asked about the protests. — Facebook, Yahoo News
These statements appear across multiple occasions, which suggests this is not just a one-off comment.
Just months later, in October 2025, during a press briefing aboard Air Force One, he reiterated the same message:
“By the way, I’m not a king. I work my ass off to make our country great. That’s all it is. I’m not a king at all.”
These aren’t slip-ups or one-off quotes — they’re consistent statements.
Working Hard, Not Ruling by Decree
Despite critics’ portrayals of him as authoritarian, Trump has often complained about the limitations of presidential power — the opposite of a monarch’s experience.
“I have to go through hell to get things approved,” he said, highlighting the checks and balances of the system.
He has also used his well-known “I work hard” rhetoric to emphasize that results come from effort and negotiation, not royal command.
Selective Outrage and Political Theater
Democrats’ fixation on the “king” label says more about campaign strategy than constitutional danger. By portraying Trump as a threat to democracy, they can rally their base through fear — even when the evidence doesn’t fit.
Selective outrage has become a political tool: outrage sells, especially in an election year. Rather than engage on issues like inflation, border security, or foreign policy, Democrats have turned to emotional appeals and exaggerated threats. The “No Kings” protests may generate headlines, but they don’t reflect Trump’s own words or actions.
What’s more, the party leveling these accusations has hardly been a model of democratic virtue itself.
When Democrats Act Like the Monarchs They Warn About
1. The Kamala Harris Nomination Without a Vote
In 2024, when President Biden withdrew from the race, Democratic Party insiders and delegates effectively handpicked Kamala Harris as the nominee — without giving voters a meaningful say. There was no full primary process, no debates, no competition.
Rank-and-file Democrats and even progressive commentators called it a “coronation.” For a party that claims to defend democracy, bypassing the electorate to select a president-in-waiting looks more like royal succession than republican process.
2. Rigging Primaries and Shutting Out Challengers
This isn’t new. In 2016, leaked DNC emails showed top officials colluding to undermine Bernie Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton.
In 2020 and again in 2024, the DNC refused to host debates for sitting or favored candidates — effectively silencing challengers like RFK Jr. and Dean Phillips.
True democracy requires competition and open debate, not coronations and silenced opponents.
3. Court-Packing and Federal Overreach
Progressive leaders have repeatedly floated expanding the Supreme Court to secure ideological control — a move that would permanently politicize the judiciary.
Bills like H.R.1, the “For the People Act,” sought to federalize local elections, stripping states of traditional election authority. Both efforts consolidate power rather than distribute it — the opposite of democratic design.
4. Censorship and Big Tech Collusion
During the 2020 and 2021 election cycles, Democratic officials and allies pressured social media platforms to suppress or “fact-check” certain news stories, including the Hunter Biden laptop story, which major outlets later confirmed as authentic.
Federal courts have since ruled that elements of this government–tech coordination violated First Amendment principles. When a party seeks to control the flow of information, it doesn’t defend democracy — it undermines it.
5. Weaponizing Institutions
Finally, Democrats have been accused of using federal agencies for partisan ends — from the FBI’s mishandling of the Trump–Russia investigation to selective prosecutions of political opponents.
Even if one approves of the outcomes, the precedent is dangerous. Once law enforcement and intelligence agencies become political tools, the republic’s neutral institutions lose legitimacy.
A Pattern of Double Standards
When Democrats sidestep voters, silence challengers, and manipulate institutions, their concern for “democracy” rings hollow.
Their attacks on Trump as a would-be king are projection — a way to deflect from their own growing centralization of power.
The irony is that while they accuse Trump of monarchic ambition, they increasingly act like a court deciding who may — or may not — even appear on the ballot.
Imaginary Fears, Real Politics
Trump’s critics are free to oppose his policies — but inventing monarchical fantasies to scare voters cheapens the national conversation.
The former president may be combative and unconventional, but he operates within the same constitutional boundaries as any other elected leader.
His statements are clear: “I’m not a king.”
Maybe it’s time critics started taking him at his word — or at least focused their outrage on something real.
