Ali Khamenei mocks Trump over rising 'No Kings' protests: 'If you’re that capable, calm them down'
TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ridiculed President Donald Trump amid the massive 'No Kings' protests that swept across the United States, calling into question the president’s ability to manage dissent at home.
On Tuesday evening, October 21, Khamenei shared a biting message on X, addressing the unrest triggered by Trump’s authoritarian policies. “If you’re that capable, calm them down, send them back to their residences, and don’t interfere in the affairs of other countries,” he wrote.
The Iranian leader’s remark came as organizers reported that nearly 7 million people participated in more than 2,700 demonstrations across all 50 states on October 18, protesting what they described as Trump’s “anti-democratic governance” and “autocratic impulses.
According to the reports, seven million people are chanting slogans against this individual in different states across America. If you’re that capable, calm them down, send them back to their residences, and don't interfere in the affairs of other countries! pic.twitter.com/zAkusSWdQf
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) October 21, 2025
Ayatollah Khamenei takes aim at Trump’s leadership as US faces turmoil
Khamenei’s jab followed his earlier rejection of Trump’s offer to reopen talks between Tehran and Washington. “Trump says he is a dealmaker, but if a deal is accompanied by coercion and its outcome is predetermined, it is not a deal but rather an imposition and bullying,” he said in remarks carried by Iranian state media.
The Supreme Leader also dismissed Trump’s repeated boasts about dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, responding, “The US president proudly says they bombed and destroyed Iran’s nuclear industry. Very well, keep dreaming.”
The exchange comes after months of heightened tensions between the two nations. Tehran and Washington previously engaged in five rounds of indirect nuclear negotiations, which collapsed following the 12-day war in June, when the US and Israel targeted Iranian nuclear sites.
‘No Kings’ protests sweep America amid growing unrest
The 'No Kings' protests marked one of the largest coordinated demonstrations in recent US history. Millions took to the streets in opposition to Trump’s recent actions, from immigration raids and troop deployments in major cities to budget cuts affecting social programs.
Protesters accused the administration of eroding democratic norms and weaponizing federal power for political gain.
Meanwhile, Trump’s allies have pushed back hard. House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the demonstrations “the hate America rally,” while other top Republicans accused organizers of inciting unrest following the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in September, a close Trump ally.
Ayatollah Khamenei doubles down on his anti-US stance
This is not the first time Khamenei has publicly dismissed US overtures. Last month, he ruled out direct talks with Washington, calling them “futile” and reaffirming that Iran would not compromise on uranium enrichment.
His latest comments, however, highlight the Iranian leader’s eagerness to exploit Trump’s domestic crises as proof of America’s internal fragility.
As images of massive protests filled US cities from New York to Los Angeles, Khamenei’s taunt quickly went viral across Middle Eastern media, a symbolic blow amid an already tense chapter in US-Iran relations.
