7 Million Americans Join “No Kings” Protests as Trump Faces Massive Nationwide Backlash
On Saturday, nearly 7 million Americans across all 50 states took to the streets for the unprecedented “No Kings” protests, voicing their opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration and its perceived authoritarian tendencies. The mass mobilization dwarfed previous protest movements and marked the largest single-day demonstration ever mounted against a sitting president.
A Nation Mobilizes
The sheer scale of the protests was staggering: organizers estimate more than 2,700 separate rallies nationwide, from massive marches in Boston and New York to creative, local events like Portland’s “emergency naked bike ride.” The latter, a tongue-in-cheek tradition to highlight cyclist vulnerability, drew thousands despite chilly temperatures—proving Americans’ commitment to making their voices heard, even in unconventional ways.
The protests were as diverse as the country itself. Some featured grandmas playing banjos, others inflatable frogs, and still more with homemade signs. In Boston, the crowds rivaled the city’s legendary sporting events, prompting Late Night host Seth Meyers to riff on the chaos of finding a friend in the throng: “Hey, Tommy, where are ya?!”
Comparing Past and Present
The scale of the “No Kings” rallies far surpassed the right-wing Tea Party protests of 2009, which, while influential, drew only several hundred thousand participants. Meyers pointed out the irony: “Several hundred thousand Tea Party protesters compared to 7 million at No Kings rallies. And worst of all, they didn’t even have a naked bike ride.”
Trump’s Response: Dismissal and Threats
President Trump dismissed the demonstrations, labeling them “very small, very ineffective,” and suggesting they were orchestrated by “radical-left lunatics” like George Soros. He further claimed the protesters were “whacked out,” a characterization Meyers found laughable given the peaceful, often quirky nature of the events.
But Trump’s response didn’t stop at ridicule. He threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act—a law from 1792 that allows the president to deploy the military domestically—to quell the protests. “I’m allowed, as you know, as president, like 50% of the presidents have used the Insurrection Act,” Trump said, inaccurately claiming it would grant him “unquestioned power” and end court challenges.
Meyers noted the irony: “His response to the No Kings rally is a reminder as to why it was a good idea to have a No Kings rally. ‘I’m no king, and I shall prove it with my unquestioned power.’”
The Mandate Myth
Throughout his presidency, Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed an overwhelming mandate from the American people. Meyers highlighted the disconnect, noting Trump’s approval ratings have consistently languished at historic lows—41% at the 100-day mark, breaking his own record for unpopularity.
“Trump is so unpopular he’s making pollsters sound like Jets fans,” Meyers joked, lampooning the administration’s efforts to spin the numbers.
Why It Matters
The “No Kings” protests are a vivid illustration of widespread discontent with Trump’s leadership. Unlike past movements, their size and diversity send a clear message: Americans are not willing to accept unchecked executive power or authoritarian rhetoric.
As Meyers concluded in his “Closer Look” segment, Trump’s reaction—threatening military intervention—only underscores the protesters’ concerns. The movement’s name, “No Kings,” captures the spirit of a nation determined to remind its leaders that democracy, not monarchy, is the American way.
