All Hail the King | Donald Trump referring to himself as “king” is about as shocking as discovering that water is wet. Yet, the internet collectively gasped when, on Truth Social, the former president declared: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”—a self-coronation nobody asked for, but here we are.
The White House, never missing a chance to amplify Trump’s theatrics, even shared an image of him wearing a crown, because why not? New York Governor Kathy Hochul was quick to remind Americans that the country is run by laws, not monarchs, but that message was probably lost in the sea of MAGA supporters cheering their new sovereign. Between this and his love for golden interiors, we should have seen this coming.
All Hail the King? From President to Monarch—The Trumpian Power Grab
All Hail the King | This latest spectacle is just another chapter in Trump’s long-running obsession with absolute power. Over the years, he’s shared fan art of himself in royal attire, wielded executive orders like medieval decrees, and pushed the Republican Party closer to blind fealty than ever before.
Beyond the memes and cosplay, Trump’s administration has strategically weakened checks and balances. By dismantling independent agencies and pushing for total executive control, his governance has leaned more autocratic than democratic. The GOP, meanwhile, has embraced this transformation, replacing principles with unquestioning loyalty to their orange-tinted sovereign.
All Hail the King: The Republican Party Shall Become His Royal Subjects
All Hail the King | At this point, asking if Republicans will stand up to Trump is like asking if fish will start breathing air—unlikely. Those who once opposed him, from Kevin McCarthy to Lindsey Graham, have either submitted or been cast out. Traditional conservatism has been thrown aside in favor of one unwavering rule: Obey before you complain.
Impeachment attempts? Blocked. January 6? Whitewashed. Legal troubles? Excused. The few Republicans who dared to oppose him, like Liz Cheney, were swiftly purged. The party is now an echo chamber where dissent is heresy, and Trump’s word is law.
America’s Last Hope? Voters, Courts, and a Democratic House
All Hail the King | If Trump is to be stopped, it won’t be by the Republicans. The party has proven time and again that they’d rather enable him than risk the wrath of his base. That leaves voters, the courts, and the last remnants of American democracy to do the heavy lifting.
With Republicans controlling the House, legislative resistance is limited. The only way to disrupt the Trump takeover is through the ballot box—flipping the House back to a Democratic majority. This isn’t just about party politics; it’s about ensuring that democracy remains intact instead of bending to one man’s whims.
CPAC and the Cult of Trump—A Coronation in Disguise
All Hail the King | The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) once stood for conservative values. Now, it’s a Trump loyalty festival. This year’s event felt less like a political gathering and more like a coronation, with die-hard supporters cheering on their leader’s promise to “reclaim” America.
Among those fueling Trump’s ambitions is Russell Vought, a former government official who promotes “radical constitutionalism,” which essentially means: Let the president do whatever he wants. His influence, along with other hardliners, suggests that Trump’s second term could be even more extreme than the first.
Will Republicans Grow a Spine or Let Trump Reign?
More than likely, not! The question remains: Will Republicans ever stand up to Trump? Given their track record, the answer leans toward a resounding “no.” They’ve had countless chances—January 6, multiple impeachments, legal scandals—but instead of acting, they cowered.
All Hail the King | At this rate, Trump could announce his intention to install a throne in the Oval Office, and the GOP would probably start crafting the royal decree. Their fear of his base overrides any concern for democratic principles. If they wouldn’t stop him in 2020, why would they now?
America’s Future: Democracy or Dictatorship?
All Hail the King | The next election isn’t just about policies or party lines—it’s about choosing between democracy and autocracy. If Trump and his enablers remain unchecked, America could very well find itself with a self-declared “King for Life.”
Voters will have the final say. The choice is clear: Either restore the balance of power by flipping the House and electing leaders who will uphold democratic norms, or sit back and watch as the United States morphs into the Kingdom of Trump.
