A new political storm has erupted in the United States after President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video portraying himself as a king-like figure flying a fighter jet and dumping garbage over protesters. The 21-second clip, posted on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, shows him wearing a golden crown while piloting the jet — a move that has sparked widespread outrage.
The video surfaced just as massive “No Kings” demonstrations took place across 2,700 U.S. cities, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to denounce what they describe as the president’s authoritarian policies. In Chicago alone, nearly 250,000 demonstrators joined the protest.
The rallies were largely aimed at condemning mass deportations, military deployments within U.S. states, and the administration’s heavy-handed approach to civil unrest. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Trump Is Not Our King” and “End the Raids Now,” accusing the president of undermining democratic values.
In response, President Trump stated that he does not view himself as a monarch and dismissed the criticism as politically motivated. Meanwhile, Republican leaders defended Trump, labeling the protests “anti-American” and an attempt to destabilize the nation.
Political analysts say the AI video has become a symbol of Trump’s polarizing image — admired by supporters as a sign of defiance, yet condemned by critics as a dangerous flirtation with authoritarianism. The controversy, they argue, highlights the deepening ideological rift in U.S. society as the 2026 election cycle draws near.
