Trump Declares “Long Live the King” After Killing NYC Congestion Pricing Plan, Prompting Uproar Over Democratic Norms
A firestorm of political backlash has erupted across the U.S. following a dramatic decision by the Trump administration to terminate New York City’s planned congestion pricing tolls—a move accompanied by an image that has stunned the public and left critics questioning the future of American democracy.
On February 19, former President Donald Trump, now 78, triumphantly announced the cancellation of the city’s traffic toll initiative through a post on Truth Social, proclaiming: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
Soon after, the White House’s official X (formerly Twitter) account reposted the message alongside a striking digital illustration styled like a TIME magazine cover. The artwork portrayed Trump wearing a royal crown, with the caption “LONG LIVE THE KING” prominently displayed in bold lettering.
The image sent shockwaves through social media and political circles alike, igniting fierce debate. “Didn’t we fight a revolution to avoid kings?” one commenter wrote. Another asked, “Is this satire—or a serious test of America’s tolerance for authoritarianism?”
Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois weighed in with a pointed message: “My allegiance is to the Constitution. America has no kings, and I won’t kneel to one.”
Despite the growing outcry, Trump’s supporters rallied behind the imagery and message. “He earned that crown!” wrote one user, while another joked, “King energy. I love it.”
The Trump administration defended its move by arguing that the federal government holds jurisdiction over interstate road access and claimed the toll unfairly penalized low- and middle-income drivers.
In a formal notice to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote, “The program imposes financial burdens on working families, with no free alternative routes. These drivers already pay through fuel and vehicle taxes. This is an unjust and regressive policy.”
Governor Hochul responded with forceful resistance. “We haven’t had a king for over two centuries, and we’re not about to start now,” she declared. “New Yorkers don’t back down.”
State officials announced plans to challenge the administration’s revocation and push forward with the $9 toll for vehicles entering central Manhattan during peak hours. The proposal aimed to reduce congestion, speed up emergency services, and fund critical upgrades for the city’s deteriorating subway infrastructure.
Supporters of the congestion pricing plan argue that it represents a bold step toward modernizing urban transportation and curbing pollution. The toll would apply to vehicles entering the Manhattan core—from 60th Street to the Financial District—between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
But now, with federal approval revoked, the future of the initiative is uncertain.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s decision to block New York’s congestion pricing plan has escalated into a national conversation about power, symbolism, and democratic values. While the transportation policy itself is significant, the imagery of a crowned Trump—shared by the nation’s highest office—has ignited wider concerns. Is it mere political theater, or a sign of a shifting political culture? As legal battles loom and political tensions climb, New York’s leadership remains determined to move forward—while the rest of the country grapples with what this moment says about America’s evolving identity.