The third nationwide No Kings protests against the Trump administration drew criticism from some commentators who said the events are not attracting new participants to their coalition.
Washington Examiner columnist Salena Zito observed two rallies in Pittsburgh and Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and said she recognized almost everyone in attendance. Former Democratic Pennsylvania Rep. Conor Lamb spoke at the Mount Lebanon protest.
"There's no one new in this crowd. They're the same crowd regurgitated every time," Zito said on the Hugh Hewitt Show. "Are the crowds sizable? Yes. But they're not new."
What the Left Is Saying
Supporters of the No Kings protests point to the continued large turnout across three nationwide events as evidence of a growing movement. Protest organizers have framed the demonstrations as a broad coalition opposed to executive overreach, with speakers including progressive activists, Democratic politicians, and cultural figures.
Progressive commentators have argued that repeat participation demonstrates commitment to the movement's principles rather than a weakness. They note that building political coalitions requires mobilizing existing supporters, not just attracting new voters.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics have characterized the protests as contrived and inauthentic. Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha said he couldn't "get away" from the word "contrived" when describing the events, citing reporting that around 500 groups were behind the protests.
Zito emphasized that to build a coalition, one needs to bring in new people, but the No Kings attendees are "the same voters they had in 2024." She also noted what she described as a lack of "cultural diversity" and an absence of working-class people at the events she observed.
What the Numbers Show
The No Kings protests marked their third nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration. Zito acknowledged that the crowds were sizable, though she argued they represented the same voter base from the 2024 election.
An investigation cited by commentators claimed around 500 groups were involved in organizing the protests. The events drew notable speakers including former Rep. Conor Lamb and actor Robert De Niro, who spoke at a rally in New York City.
The Bottom Line
The debate over the No Kings protests centers on whether large but repetitive crowds indicate movement strength or limitations. Critics argue the lack of new participants suggests challenges in expanding the coalition beyond 2024 voters, while supporters point to sustained engagement across multiple events as evidence of grassroots momentum. Political analysts say the coming months will test whether the protests can broaden their appeal beyond core progressive voters.