In a bold display of dissent, pop icon Madonna and famed horror novelist Stephen King have both taken aim at President Donald Trump for his recent self-styled monarchical imagery. Their reactions highlight growing unease among cultural figures over the president’s grandiose language and actions.
A royal proclamation sparks outrage
On the social media platform X, Trump posted a message ending with “LONG LIVE THE KING,” a declaration tied to his decision to scrap a proposed congestion charge in New York City.
The measure, intended to curb traffic in Manhattan with a fee of approximately US$9, had drawn controversy from the outset. The White House even amplified Trump’s message by sharing an image of him wearing a diamond-studded crown—a visual cue that critics say reinforces an autocratic style.
Madonna’s rebuke
Madonna, universally recognized as the “Queen of Pop,” responded swiftly on X. “I thought this country was built by people rejecting the rule of kings to create a government by the people,” she wrote, condemning Trump’s self-coronation.
The singer, no stranger to political activism, has been a vocal critic of Trump’s policies since his first term, particularly regarding issues that affect LGBTQ rights. Her latest remarks serve as a reminder that many view the president’s regal self-portrayal as contrary to the democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded.
Stephen King returns with a scathing message
After a three-month hiatus from the platform—time during which he cited a toxic online environment following Trump’s election victory—Stephen King made a dramatic return. Wielding his characteristic candor, King labeled Trump a “traitorous” figure with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
His post, laced with vehement criticism, underscores a broader cultural backlash against Trump’s repeated use of royal imagery and his controversial executive actions since taking office on January 20.
A clash of symbols and ideologies
Trump’s new stance is not without precedent. Throughout his campaign and subsequent presidency, he has embraced language and symbolism that some argue harks back to monarchical traditions. In one instance, he claimed divine intervention in his quest to “make America great again,” a sentiment that has drawn comparisons to autocratic leadership styles.
Meanwhile, local and federal officials have clashed over policies like the New York congestion charge, with the US Department of Transportation ordering its suspension and New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul seeking legal remedies.
A nation at a crossroads
The ongoing debate over Trump’s self-fashioned royal persona is more than mere theatrics—it strikes at the heart of America’s identity as a democracy. As leaders in the arts and literature speak out against what they see as a dangerous embrace of regal rhetoric, the controversy serves as a reminder of the nation’s enduring commitment to governance by the people, rather than by kings.
The discourse ignited by Trump’s latest proclamation continues to ripple through social media and political circles, reflecting deep-seated concerns about the direction of American leadership in a time of unprecedented change.