They issued a very bold statement 😳 They’ve called for action to be taken 😮

The recent declaration by US President Donald Trump, in which he referred to himself as a “king,” has ignited a wave of criticism and raised questions about the nature of governance in the United States. Is the nation still a democracy, or are we veering toward a monarchy?

On February 19, the 78-year-old Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” This proclamation followed the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the New York City congestion pricing plan—a controversial initiative that would have imposed charges on drivers entering certain areas of the city.

The White House asserted that the federal government holds jurisdiction over the roads leading to New York and argued that the congestion toll would “unfairly burden working-class residents” in the region, according to reports from the BBC.

Adding fuel to the fire, the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) shared Trump’s statement, accompanied by an illustrated image reminiscent of a TIME Magazine cover. In this striking graphic, Trump was depicted wearing a crown, with the words “LONG LIVE THE KING” emblazoned in the bottom left corner.

The imagery and Trump’s self-proclamation did not go unnoticed. Critics quickly took to X to express their outrage. One user questioned, “Isn’t the whole point of America even existing to not have a monarch?” Another chimed in, “I thought we lived in a democracy, not a monarchy.” A third commenter referenced the American Revolution, stating, “We literally fought a revolution to NOT have a king.”

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing his commitment to the Constitution. “As Governor of Illinois, my oath is to the Constitution of our state and our nation. We don’t have kings in America, and I won’t bend the knee to one,” he asserted.

Despite the backlash, many of Trump’s supporters appeared to embrace the controversial post. Comments ranged from playful admiration—“He looks good in a crown, definitely should get one”—to enthusiastic declarations of support, with one user exclaiming, “I VOTED FOR THIS!”

In the midst of this political drama, Trump voiced his concerns regarding the congestion pricing plan, arguing that commuters have already financed the construction and improvement of highways through gas taxes and other fees. “The toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative, and instead, takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways. It’s backwards and unfair,” he stated.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded firmly to Trump’s remarks, declaring that the state hasn’t “labored under a King in over 250 years” and vowing, “We sure as hell are not going to start now. In case you don’t know New Yorkers, we’re going to fight. We do not back down, not now, not ever.”

New York officials have pledged to continue their battle against the Trump administration’s efforts to halt the proposed $9 (£7.15) toll, which would impact all vehicles entering Manhattan between 60th Street and the southern tip of the island during peak hours. Proponents of the congestion charge argue that it would facilitate quicker access for first responders during emergencies and generate funds necessary for revitalizing the New York subway system.

As the debate rages on, the clash between the Trump administration and New York officials highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding governance, policy, and the very identity of American democracy. Will this incident serve as a turning point in the public’s perception of leadership, or is it merely another chapter in the tumultuous saga of contemporary politics? Only time will tell.