- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 19 Oct 2025 12:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Millions of Americans took to the streets over the weekend in the “No Kings” protests, a nationwide campaign opposing President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration, education, and national security, as well as his consolidation of executive power since returning to office. Organisers reported participation from more than 2,700 cities and towns, drawing an estimated seven million people, making it one of the largest coordinated protest movements in recent US history.
The demonstrations were largely peaceful, despite their massive scale. In Chicago, the epicentre of Trump’s immigration policies, protesters waved upside-down American flags alongside Mexican and Pride flags, carrying homemade signs reading “Hands Off Chicago.” Los Angeles saw participants in inflatable costumes waving US flags, while in Washington, DC, federal employees and former staffers marched along Pennsylvania Avenue on the 18th day of the ongoing government shutdown, calling for calmer political rhetoric.
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Trump Responds With Controversial AI Video
Amid the nationwide protests, President Trump posted a 19-second AI-generated video on his Truth Social platform depicting himself as a king in a fighter jet dropping what appeared to be faecal matter on protesters below. The fighter jet is marked “King Trump,” with the president wearing a crown in the cockpit. The oxygen mask he wears does not fully cover his nose and mouth. Trump captioned the clip, “Just cleaning up the mess!”, a phrase that quickly went viral and drew mixed reactions.
Critics condemned the video as undignified and inflammatory for a sitting president, while Trump supporters praised its humour and digital creativity. The post comes as a symbolic counter to the “No Kings” movement, which frames the demonstrations as a protest against perceived authoritarian tendencies in the Trump administration.
Political Context And Reactions
The protests coincided with a politically charged environment in Washington. The federal government remains partially shut down due to congressional deadlock over funding bills, fueling public frustration. Democratic leaders broadly supported the rallies, framing them as a defence of democratic principles against executive overreach. Republican lawmakers dismissed the demonstrations as anti-American, emphasising party loyalty and defending the president’s record.
