President Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed “kingship” has led some detractors to wonder if the US is a democracy or a monarchy.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD,” Trump, 78, wrote on his personal social media site, Truth Social, on Wednesday, February 19. All of New York, including Manhattan, is saved. LIFE LONG FOR THE KING!
Following the Trump administration’s decision to scrap the New York City congestion pricing scheme, which would have imposed fees on automobiles entering specific parts of the city, the remark was made.
The controversial toll, according to the White House, would “unfairly burden working-class residents in the region,” as the BBC reported, and the US federal government has jurisdiction over the roadways leading to New York.
Along with an illustration reminiscent of a TIME Magazine cover, the official White House X account has reposted Trump’s remark.
The artwork had the words “LONG LIVE THE KING” in the lower left-hand corner and showed the 47th President of the United States wearing a crown.
An overwhelming number of social media users have commented on the posting of this image, which appears to have been created by a computer.
One critic expressed their opinion on X by writing: “Isn’t the whole point of America even existing to not have a monarch?”
According to a second, “I believed that we lived in a democracy, not a monarchy.”
In reference to the American Revolution, which occurred from 1765 and 1783, someone else responded, “We literally fought a revolution to NOT have a king.”
The fake magazine cover also prompted a response from JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois.
“I swear to the Constitution of our state and our country as Governor of Illinois,” he wrote.
“We don’t have kings in America, and I won’t bend the knee to one.”
Many Trump supporters, however, expressed approval of the contentious post, with one commenting: “He looks good in a crown, definitely should get one.”
“Someone seems to be feeling very royal today! “Right now, the crown emoji is pretty much required,” someone else said.
“I voted for this!” said a third.
"CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!"
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 19, 2025
–President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/IMr4tq0sMB
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was informed by newly appointed US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that he would be withdrawing his approval of the program, describing it as a “slap in the face to working class 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,” said the politician.
Instead of providing vehicles with a free highway alternative, the toll program takes more money from working people to fund a transit system rather than roadways. It is unjust and backward.
The state hasn’t “laboured under a King in over 250 years,” according to Gov. Hochul’s subsequent response.
“We will definitely not begin at this time. If you are unfamiliar with New Yorkers, you should expect a battle. “We never give up, not now, not ever,” she declared.
Moreover, New York authorities have pledged to ‘fight’ the Trump administration to implement the suggested $9 (£7.15) toll.
All vehicles entering Manhattan between 60th Street and the southern tip of the island in the Financial District between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends will be subject to the congestion fee, according to the BBC.
Transportation officials contend that the initiative would speed up first responders’ arrival at emergencies and that the toll revenue would be used to finance the renovation of the New York subway system.
