White House Sparks Outrage with “Long Live the King” Post About Trump
A bold four-word proclamation from the White House has ignited a firestorm online after it shared a striking image of President Donald Trump alongside the phrase: “LONG LIVE THE KING.”
On February 19, 78-year-old Trump posted on Truth Social:
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
The post came shortly after his administration moved to kill New York City’s planned congestion pricing program — a controversial proposal that would have imposed a toll on drivers entering certain parts of Manhattan.
The Trump administration argued that because federal highways lead into the city, Washington holds jurisdiction over how those roads are used. Officials claimed the toll would unfairly punish working-class commuters who already pay taxes to maintain those roads, according to the BBC.
But it wasn’t Trump’s policy stance that stirred the most attention — it was the White House’s response.
The official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) reposted Trump’s statement, pairing it with an image designed to mimic the iconic cover of TIME magazine. The illustration depicted Trump wearing a crown, triumphant and regal, with the caption: “LONG LIVE THE KING” emblazoned across the lower left corner.
Critics Erupt
The reaction was swift.
“Isn’t the whole point of America even existing to not have a monarch?” one user wrote on X.
Another added: “I thought we lived in a democracy, not a monarchy.”
A third invoked the American Revolution: “We literally fought a war to NOT have a king.”
Even elected officials joined the backlash. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker responded directly:
“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 Base Embraces the Moment
Despite the uproar, Trump’s supporters rallied behind the post with enthusiasm — and humor.
“He looks good in a crown,” one user wrote. “Definitely should get one.”
Another joked: “Looks like someone’s feeling royal today. The crown emoji is practically mandatory right now.”
A third chimed in: “I VOTED FOR THIS!”
Trump Defends Reversal of Congestion Pricing
In his full statement, Trump framed the decision as a win for working Americans:
“Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already financed the construction and improvement of these highways through the payment of gas taxes and other taxes,” he wrote.
“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.”
New York Fires Back
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a fiery rebuttal:
“We haven’t labored under a King in over 250 years, and we sure as hell are not going to start now,” she said.
“New Yorkers are going to fight. We do not back down — not now, not ever.”
City officials confirmed they are still committed to implementing the $9 congestion toll, which would apply to vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours — 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
Supporters of the plan argue it would reduce traffic, cut emissions, improve emergency response times, and provide a much-needed funding boost for New York’s aging subway system.
While the legal and political battle plays out, the image of Trump in a crown — and the echo of monarchy in modern American politics — has already left a lasting impression.