Trump says 'I’m not a king' as he mocks nationwide protests

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump openly mocked the massive nationwide “No Kings” protests that took place on Saturday, October 18, making clear the movement didn’t sit well with him.

During his latest appearance on Fox News' 'Sunday Morning Futures', anchor Maria Bartiromo asked Trump about the protests, and the Republican leader derisively dismissed the idea that he is a monarch. He said, "They’re saying they’re referring to me as a king, I’m not a king."

He also aimed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for the ongoing government shutdown.

Trump lashes out at Chuck Schumer

During the interview, Maria Bartiromo asked Donald Trump about the nationwide protest, noting that more than 2,000 people were expected across the country. She also asked whether the government shutdown was connected to the rally.

Trump replied, "No, I mean, some people say they want to delay it for that. A king! This is not an act." When Bartiromo pressed that the issue was bigger than that, the 79-year-old said, "You know, they’re saying they’re referring to me as a king, I’m not a king."

The anchor then pointed out that Chuck Schumer could use the rally to position himself against Trump. The president attacked the Democrat, saying, "Well, Chuck is, you know, at the end of the line. He’s being beaten by everybody that they pull against it. I don’t think it matters to him. I think he’s just so dead that he’ll do anything."

"They made one mistake. They didn’t realize that that gives me the right to cut programs that Republicans never wanted. You know, giveaways, welfare programs, et cetera. And we’re doing that. And we’re cutting them permanently. We’re cutting a $20 billion project that Schumer fought for 15 years to get, and I’m cutting the project," he added.

While he denied being a king on the Fox News interview, late on Saturday, Trump shared an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting himself piloting a fighter jet labeled “KING TRUMP.”

The video, which appeared on both his personal and official government social media accounts, shows Trump flying above what seems to be a "No Kings" protest in Times Square. At one point, the jet releases brown liquid onto the demonstrators, all set to Kenny Loggins’ 'Danger Zone', possibly referencing 'Top Gun'.

More than 2,600 'No Kings' rallies held nationwide

The "No Kings" rally organizers estimated that over 2,600 rallies were held nationwide, with participants voicing opposition to what they perceive as authoritarian actions by President Donald Trump’s administration, especially ICE raids and troop deployments in Democratic-led states.

The first "No Kings" protest occurred in June, and turnout for the October rally was expected to surpass that of the initial event. The demonstrations were organized by a coalition of activist groups, including the ACLU, MoveOn, and the American Federation of Teachers.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans have called the protests "Hate America" rallies.