Trump Declares Himself ‘King’ After Blocking NYC Congestion Toll, Faces Backlash On Social Media

New Delhi: After President Donald Trump intervened to halt a new toll system designed to fund New York City's aging mass transit infrastructure, he proclaimed himself "king," sparking varied reactions across social media.

Trump took on his TruthSocial and wrote, "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD,” adding, “Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”

Later, the White House’s X account responded by posting a satirical Time magazine cover with quoting what Trump wrote, depicting US President wearing a crown with the caption “long live the king.”

Also Read: Trump Proclaims Himself ‘King’ After Blocking NYC Congestion Toll

Reactions Pouring in From Social Media

Trump’s declaration has sparked mixed reactions, with many criticising his self-comparison to a monarch.

Governor Hochul swiftly responded, saying, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.”

New York City Council member Justin Brannan condemned Trump's remarks, highlighting the Trump-appointed Justice Department's decision to drop a federal corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams.

A X user wrote, “I'm a republican who voted trump, but no one man is a king. that's the ideals of our nation, no kings.”

Another X user claiming to be the statement as just a meme, wrote, “I like Trump and I’ve voted for him 3 times now. He’s a great leader. And I know it’s probably just a meme, but Trump is NOT a king.”

"He is a president." the X user added.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy On Wednesday, sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, outlining the president’s objections to the congestion pricing plan. Duffy stated that federal officials would begin working with the state to implement an “orderly cessation of toll operations.”

Calling the initiative “backwards and unfair” and a “slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners,” Duffy reinforced the administration’s stance against the program, which would have been the first of its kind in the country.