Trump Dismisses “No Kings” Protests, Takes Aim at Schumer Amid Shutdown Standoff
What began as a nationwide movement to challenge perceived authoritarianism has drawn sharp rebuke from former President Donald Trump.
As progressive activists prepare for the weekend’s massive “No Kings” demonstrations, Trump fired back from the Oval Office, mocking the protesters and targeting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for what he called a “losing war” over the government shutdown.
The “No Kings” protests, organized by progressive coalitions, are expected to draw tens of thousands of participants to over 2,500 rallies nationwide.
While supporters frame the event as a defense of democracy, conservatives label it an “anti-America” campaign aimed at undermining Trump’s administration.
In a preview for his Fox News interview on Sunday Morning Futures, Trump scoffed at comparisons branding him a monarch. “Some say they’re delaying the shutdown for that — a king! I’m not a king,” he said with a grin, dismissing the protests’ narrative.
Turning his fire toward Schumer, Trump accused the Senate leader of prioritizing theatrics over governance. “Chuck’s at the end of the line,” Trump asserted. “He’s losing badly. I don’t even think it matters to him anymore.”
Trump claimed Democrats had underestimated his leverage in the shutdown fight, allowing him to slash long-criticized federal programs permanently. “They made one big mistake,” he said. “They didn’t realize this gives me authority to eliminate programs Republicans never wanted — handouts, welfare spending, and so on.”
He specifically boasted about cutting a $20 billion infrastructure project Schumer championed for years—though the administration has yet to confirm which project.
Pivoting to foreign affairs, Trump revealed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had “offered everything” to stop U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking submarines in the Caribbean.
During a White House event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump’s candid remark—“Because he doesn’t want to f*** around with the United States”—stunned reporters and drew laughter from officials.
U.S. naval and air forces have recently escalated operations against drug networks in Venezuelan waters, disrupting cocaine trafficking and targeting criminal groups tied to Maduro’s regime.
Conclusion
As protests against “authoritarianism” swell nationwide, Trump remains unshaken, doubling down on his image as a defiant and decisive leader. Mocking critics and pressing his advantage domestically and abroad, Trump signals he will neither yield to protesters, Schumer, nor foreign adversaries. Whether viewed as boldness or arrogance, his message is unmistakable: he’s here to stay—and fight.