Donald Trump is facing intense criticism after referring to himself as a “king” in response to a significant policy shift he introduced this week.

The 78-year-old Republican took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Wednesday (February 19) to make a highly controversial remark.

His statement followed a letter from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, officially terminating the federal transportation department’s agreement with New York regarding a proposed congestion pricing plan for Manhattan.

“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” Trump wrote.

Shortly after, the official White House X account reposted his words alongside a digitally edited image of Trump grinning widely on a fake Time magazine cover. In the manipulated image, he is depicted wearing a golden crown with New York City’s skyline in the background.

The phrase “LONG LIVE THE KING” was prominently displayed in the lower left corner of the fabricated magazine cover.

Hochul later took to X to address the situation, captioning her post: “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.”

In her statement, she emphasized the vital role public transit plays in New York City, calling it essential for the city’s economy—something she noted “as a New Yorker, like President Trump, knows very well.”

She went on to highlight the early success of the newly implemented program, stating that “since this first-in-the-nation program took effect last month, congestion has dropped dramatically and commuters are getting to work faster than ever.”

According to Hochul, the initiative has had a noticeable impact: “Broadway shows are selling out and foot traffic to local businesses is spiking. School buses are getting kids to class on time, and yellow cab trips increased by 10 percent.”

Public transportation usage is on the rise, drivers are experiencing smoother commutes, and more people are backing this initiative with each passing day.

Wrapping up her statement, Hochul emphasized: “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king. The MTA has initiated legal proceedings in the Southern District of New York to preserve this critical program.

“We’ll see you in court.”

We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king. pic.twitter.com/PikwB5OwnM

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 19, 2025

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Hochul made her stance clear: “New York hasn’t laboured 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.”

Meanwhile, Illinois’ Democratic Governor, JB Pritzker, took to X to voice his opposition, stating, “As Governor of Illinois, my oath is to the Constitution of our state and our nation.

“We don’t have kings in America, and I won’t bend the knee to one.”

Adding to the conversation, David Hogg, vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, pushed back against the rhetoric, saying, “Republicans: Stop overreacting and calling Trump a king,” while referencing “Literally the White House twitter account,” alongside an image of the fake Time magazine cover.