Donald Trump at the White House on February 11, 2025. Getty Images
Donald Trump is under fire after calling himself a "king" in a social media post. The post came after his administration canceled New York City’s congestion pricing plan, which aimed to reduce traffic and fund public transit.
Following the decision, Trump posted on his platform, Truth Social, saying, "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!"
The White House later shared Trump's words along with a digitally created image. The picture showed him wearing a golden crown on a fake Time magazine cover, with the New York City skyline in the background.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul quickly responded, rejecting Trump’s statement. She said, "We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king." Hochul emphasized that public transit is essential for the city’s economy and daily life. She also revealed that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) had filed a lawsuit to protect the congestion pricing plan.
In a press conference, Hochul continued her criticism, stating, "New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years. 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."
Other politicians also weighed in. New York City Council member Justin Brannan condemned Trump’s post and accused him of overstepping his authority. "Doesn’t matter what you think of congestion pricing, the federal government doesn’t get to make this decision. NY State passed a law, and USDOT approved it. No matter what corrupt deal Donald Trump made with the Mayor, he isn’t king. Only fools concede to false power," Brannan wrote.
Virginia Representative Don Beyer echoed the same sentiment, stating, "We don’t have kings in the USA."
David Hogg, vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, mocked the situation by posting a screenshot of the White House’s tweet featuring Trump’s crowned image.
Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker took the opportunity to address the controversy during his State of the State speech. He firmly stated, "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."
Trump’s comment has sparked widespread debate, with many arguing that his words reflect a dangerous view of leadership. Others see it as just another example of his usual provocative rhetoric. The legal battle over congestion pricing is now underway, and the dispute between New York officials and Trump’s administration is far from over.
