Trump Faces Backlash After Calling Himself ‘King’ Over NYC Congestion Pricing
Donald Trump is once again at the center of controversy, this time for calling himself a "king" after his administration rescinded New York City's congestion pricing program. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many politicians and public figures condemning both the decision and Trump's bold declaration.
Here’s what happened. On Wednesday, Trump's transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, effectively canceling the federal agreement that allowed the city to move forward with its congestion pricing plan. Shortly after, Trump took to Truth Social, celebrating the decision with a post that read: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
That post alone would have been enough to stir up controversy, but the White House went a step further by sharing an image of Trump wearing a golden crown on a fake Time magazine cover, grinning with the New York City skyline behind him. The response was swift and fierce.
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Governor Hochul fired back, stating, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.” She emphasized that public transit is essential for New York City’s economy and that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has already initiated legal action to fight the decision. Later, in a press conference, Hochul made her stance crystal clear: “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years. We sure as hell are not going to start now. In case you don’t know New Yorkers, we’re going to fight. We do not back down, not now, not ever.”
Other leaders joined in the criticism. New York City council member Justin Brannan pointed out that the congestion pricing law was already approved by both the state and the U.S. Department of Transportation. He accused Trump of making corrupt deals with the city’s mayor and declared, “No matter what corrupt deal Donald Trump made with the Mayor, he isn’t king. Only fools concede to false power.”
Virginia Representative Don Beyer also weighed in, stating plainly: “We don’t have kings in the USA.” Meanwhile, Democratic National Committee vice-chair David Hogg mocked the White House’s defense of Trump, sharing the Time magazine image and sarcastically remarking on Republicans’ hypocrisy.
Even Illinois Governor JB Pritzker took the opportunity to reinforce democratic values during his State of the State address, saying, “We don’t have kings in America, and I won’t bend the knee to one.”
This controversy isn’t just about Trump's language—it's about federal overreach and whether the president has the power to single-handedly undo state-approved policies. The fight over congestion pricing in New York is far from over, and with lawsuits now in motion, the battle between the city and Trump’s administration is only beginning. But one thing is clear: for many Americans, calling yourself a king is not just bad optics—it’s an outright challenge to the democratic principles the country was built on.
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