‘No Kings’ plans nationwide protests on Trump’s 80th birthday as movement returns to spotlight
WASHINGTON, DC: A nationwide protest movement that has repeatedly challenged President Donald Trump is preparing for another high-profile demonstration, this time on a date loaded with symbolism: Trump’s 80th birthday.
The “No Kings” movement has announced a series of events for June 14, including a headline concert in New York City and watch parties across multiple states. Organizers say the goal is to push back against what they describe as “strongman politics” while promoting a more participatory vision of democracy.
Why June 14 matters
The choice of June 14 is unlikely to be accidental.
“The next 250 starts with us. As America approaches its anniversary about what story we tell. We can let strongman politics and corruption define the moment,” the movement’s website states.
“Or we can make the story of America about people coming together — across race, background, identity, belief, and community — to defend our rights and build a future rooted in people’s power.”
“On June 14, we rise up, we sing out, and we keep organizing.”
A 90-minute concert in New York City has been planned to headline the event.
The “Rise Up, Sing Out” concert is set to take place at The Town Hall in midtown Manhattan and is scheduled to feature performances and appearances by singers Sasha Allen, Bette Midler, Patti Smith and Rufus Wainwright, along with actor Jane Fonda and liberal commentator Joy Reid.
The planned demonstrations come as Trump remains one of the most polarizing figures in American politics and as activists on both sides gear up for the political battles ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.
“Rise Up, Sing Out is about reclaiming patriotism as something inclusive, participatory, and rooted in care for one another, not power, pageantry, or one person’s spotlight,” the movement’s website adds.
Since Trump returned to office, three sets of No Kings protests, which were different than what is planned on June 14, have occurred.
The first set of demonstrations took place on June 14, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday as well as the US Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, DC.
Trump’s birthday made a target
The biggest scheduled event is a 90-minute concert titled “Rise Up, Sing Out” at The Town Hall in Manhattan.
The event is being sponsored by the Committee for the First Amendment, an advocacy organization that Fonda revived in 2025.
Beyond New York City, organizers have announced at least 18 watch parties spread across 11 states. The movement is also working with progressive groups including 50501 and Indivisible, which have participated in earlier demonstrations against Trump.
“Rise Up, Sing Out is about reclaiming patriotism as something inclusive, participatory, and rooted in care for one another — not power, pageantry, or one person’s spotlight,” the movement’s website adds.
The movement again held protests in October 2025 and March 2026. Two progressive organizations — 50501 and Indivisible — are involved in organizing the demonstrations along with other partners around the country.
In October, Trump rejected that he was a king.
“They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he told host Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” referring to the protesters.
On the same day as the upcoming event, the UFC will hold several fights on the South Lawn of the White House.
