Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, posted a message on X Saturday morning intended to reinforce the "no kings" protest movement against President Donald Trump, but Republicans quickly turned her words into a tool to critique the demonstrations.
The post read: "Donald Trump is not, never will be, and has never been a king. #NoKings" as left-wing protesters marched in various anti-Trump demonstrations across the country.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans responded with widespread mockery, arguing Hirono's statement actually supported their position that the "no kings" rallies were misguided.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, replied directly to Hirono's post: "So you agree – you think your 'no kings' rallies are stupid…" Roy had previously backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican primary.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote simply: "Roger that!"
The National Republican Congressional Committee issued a statement calling the events "Hate America Rallies" and accusing House Democrats of standing "shoulder-to-shoulder with radicals who call for assassinations and violence."
NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said: "Voters will punish Democrats for gleefully standing with radicals."
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pointed to reporting showing "no kings" protests were backed by a network of 500 organizations, noting many had ties to "socialist and communist groups."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of the "no kings" movement argued the demonstrations represented a sustained grassroots response to concerns about executive power. The first event, held on Trump's birthday June 14 of last year, drew an estimated 4 million to 6 million people across roughly 2,100 sites nationwide. The second mobilization in October involved an estimated 7 million participants in more than 2,700 cities, according to crowdsourcing analysis published by data journalist G. Elliott Morris.
More than 3,200 events had been planned in all 50 states for the most recent protest day. Organizers noted that two-thirds of "no kings" events were happening outside major cities, representing a nearly 40% jump for smaller communities from the movement's first mobilization last June.
Actress Jane Fonda urged turnout at the protests, warning America faces an "existential" crisis. Actor John Cusack told Trump to "go to hell" during a Chicago rally.
What the Numbers Show
The June 14 "no kings" event drew an estimated 4 million to 6 million participants across approximately 2,100 sites. The October mobilization saw participation grow to an estimated 7 million people in more than 2,700 cities. The most recent day featured more than 3,200 planned events across all 50 states.
The protests have expanded significantly outside major metropolitan areas. Organizers reported a nearly 40% increase in smaller community events compared to the movement's first mobilization.
Trump has long rebuked the "no kings" mantra. During last October's congressional recess protests, he said: "I'm not a king — I work my a-- off to make America great." He called the protests "small, crazy, and totally out of touch with real Americans."
The Bottom Line
The exchange between Hirono and Republican lawmakers illustrates the partisan tension surrounding the ongoing "no kings" movement. While progressives view the demonstrations as a check on executive power, Republicans have consistently framed them as radical and out of touch with mainstream voters. The massive scale of participation — millions across thousands of events — demonstrates the movement's staying power, even as partisan opponents use statements like Hirono's to question its coherence. What remains clear is that both sides agree Trump is not a king; they disagree sharply on what that label means in the context of his presidency.