Pop icon Madonna has taken aim at President Donald Trump after he seemingly referred to himself as a “king” in a celebratory social media post. The singer, known for her outspoken political views, did not hold back in criticizing what she sees as a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism under Trump’s leadership.
“I thought this country was built by Europeans, escaping living under the rule of a King, to establish a New World governed by the people,” Madonna wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Currently we have a president who calls Himself … Our King.”
Then came her cutting remark:
“If this is a joke, I’m not laughing.”
The controversy began after Trump’s administration announced that it would be rescinding a Biden-era congestion pricing plan for New York City, a program designed to reduce traffic and pollution by charging fees for vehicles entering certain parts of Manhattan.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED,” Trump wrote in a gloating post on Truth Social. He then signed off with a bizarre declaration:
“LONG LIVE THE KING!”
Not content with just the text, the White House doubled down on the theatrics. A post on X featured a mock Time magazine cover portraying Trump wearing a golden crown with Manhattan in the background. Instead of the usual Time masthead, the word “TRUMP” was emblazoned at the top, accompanied by the phrase: “Long live the king.”
The imagery, likely intended to be provocative, quickly sparked outrage among Trump’s critics, who saw it as yet another example of his obsession with power.
Madonna, 66, has been a longtime critic of Trump, but this time, she wasn’t alone. Many public figures expressed concern over Trump’s increasing use of monarchical language. For Madonna, the post symbolized something far more serious than a mere publicity stunt—it was a sign of the growing authoritarian tendencies within the administration.
Her response wasn’t just about the “king” reference. In a separate post, she warned about the broader impact of Trump’s policies:
“It’s so sad to watch our new Government slowly dismantling all the Freedoms we have been fighting for and WON over the years,” she wrote.
Madonna’s post came just hours after Trump signed a sweeping executive order restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors under the age of 19. That order was just the latest in a series of controversial moves targeting LGBTQ+ rights.
Days earlier, another executive order had barred transgender people from serving openly in the military—reinstating a policy that had been overturned under the previous administration. Meanwhile, a separate directive mandated that the federal government recognize only two genders, reversing policies that had expanded protections for nonbinary and transgender individuals.
These aggressive actions align with Trump’s broader strategy of reshaping government institutions to fit his vision. His administration has also been working to expand White House control over independent regulatory agencies, which would give Trump greater authority to dictate how key areas of government operate. Legal experts predict these moves will face immediate court challenges.
While Trump’s “Long live the king” remark might have been framed as a joke, his continued efforts to consolidate power are no laughing matter to critics. His administration’s focus on eroding civil rights, gutting government agencies, and eliminating regulatory oversight has drawn comparisons to authoritarian playbooks used by leaders who seek to weaken democracy from within.
Madonna’s comments tap into a larger fear—that Trump’s second term will be even more aggressive in pushing policies that restrict personal freedoms while granting him greater control.
For the pop star, this fight is personal. Over the years, she has used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and freedom of expression—issues that are now under direct attack by Trump’s executive orders.
Madonna’s remarks underscore a growing concern among many Americans about the direction the country is heading. The once-unthinkable idea of a U.S. president openly comparing himself to a monarch is now being embraced by Trump and his supporters.
Whether or not he meant it seriously, the message is clear: Trump sees himself as more than just a president—he sees himself as a ruler. And if his administration’s recent actions are any indication, he’s more than willing to reshape the government to reflect that vision.
For Madonna and many others, this isn’t just political theater—it’s a warning sign of what’s to come.
