America Has No King
An Instagram post shared between the collaborating accounts of POTUS and the Whitehouse, depicting President Trump wearing a crown, reading in the bottom “Long Live The King”. Source: Instagram
In 1776, American colonists declared independence from a monarch. Nearly 250 years later, the United States still begins each presidency by swearing allegiance, not to a person, but to the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence didn’t just announce a break from British rule; it defined what it means to live as an American: to uphold individual freedom and human rights extended to all who reside within this nation.
Through that Declaration, and later, the Constitution, American citizens were granted the right to vote for their leaders, embracing the principles of a democratic republic. That foundational idea separates the United States from countless governments across history: here, the people sit at the top, a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
On February 19, 2025, President Donald J. Trump and his staff posted an image to Instagram styled like a New York Times cover. It depicted Trump in an oil-style portrait, a golden crown perched on his head. The words beneath: “Long Live The King.” The caption, referencing the cancellation of congestion pricing in New York, concluded with: “LONG LIVE THE KING! – President Donald J. Trump.”
The backlash was swift. Critics in the comments and across social media pointed to Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution: “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States.” For good reason, America does not, and cannot, have a king. It is ingrained in the United States to advocate for democracy, and focus on our continued growth of freedom, separating us from the very Monarchy that we seceded from. To suggest otherwise from a sitting president isn’t a harmless joke. It’s a symbol of something much larger and far more serious.
When a president chooses to present himself using the language and imagery of monarchy, it’s not merely performative—it signals a broader shift toward personalist leadership, where loyalty to an individual overshadows allegiance to democratic institutions. The ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) movement exemplifies this trend, promoting a red wave political identity that idolizes President Trump and champions his protectionist agenda, including stricter immigration policies and reduced foreign trade. This isn’t just undemocratic—it challenges the very principles of what it means to be American.
Being American is no longer defined by one's religion, race, gender, or sexuality. It’s defined by a civic commitment to liberty, equality, and the rule of law. Public office in this system is not a throne; it’s a responsibility. Elected leaders are entrusted with power temporarily, and that power is limited by checks, balances, and ultimately, by the people.
The title of King is not all President Trump has falsely donned. After the passing of late Pope Francis, on April 2nd, 2025, President Trump posted an image of himself adorned in papal wear and has been quoted in an interview saying that “[he] would really like to be Pope”. In that, apparently, it needs to be said: President Donald Trump is not—and cannot be—The Pope. Why? He is not a Cardinal of the Catholic Church, not unmarried (he’s been divorced twice and is currently married), and not even a member of the Catholic faith.
This isn’t satire. It’s a reminder: the presidency is not a throne. It’s a trust, one granted by the voters, bound by law, and answerable to the Constitution. Anyone who behaves otherwise isn’t just wrong, they are fundamentally un-American. Rhetoric that follows anything similar to what President Trump has posted should be criticized by all, and not protected by members of the Grand Old Party (GOP) or aligned groups.
This matters now more than ever. When leaders float the idea of third terms, joke about being "President for life," or suggest there’s no need for successors, they erode the very norms that preserve our democracy. Even symbolic gestures, like dressing up as a king, can desensitize the public to deeper violations of democratic principles.
No matter your political affiliation, reverence for the rule of law and constitutional order should be a shared value. Criticizing authoritarian symbolism isn’t about left or right—it’s about remembering who we are as a collective country. The presidency is not a crown. It is a trust, granted by voters, bound by law, and answerable to the people. If we forget that, if we normalize any behavior that undermines it, we risk losing far more than an election. We risk losing the republic itself. The United States of America has reigned as the world's superpower since the end of World War II, and has remained there by the values that we as Americans hold dear. What President Trump is doing threatens the freedom and values of not just me, but you, your family, your loved ones, and every person you walk by daily, and it is imperative to recognize this and take action sooner rather than later. Whether it is a joke or not, the Presidency is not a laughing matter, and should be held in high dignity, with respect and care to all.