On October 18, 2025, millions of Americans participated in No Kings Day protests across the country. Estimates from organizers placed participation around seven million nationwide, with rallies reported in all 50 states.
One week later, attention has turned to the political, economic, and legal ramifications of the demonstrations. Republican lawmakers have criticized the protests, calling them un-American.
House Speaker Mike Johnson described the gatherings as including elements he said were hostile to U.S. interests, while Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota characterized the events as politically motivated demonstrations by partisan groups. These statements have been part of a broader debate over how public dissent is interpreted by political leaders.
President Donald Trump addressed the protests, stating, “I’m not a king. I work my ass off to make our country great. That’s all it is.” He also said the demonstrations were “very small, very ineffective,” reflecting his perspective that they do not represent the broader population.
He then posted an AI-rendered video of him and Vice President J.D. Vance wearing crowns before dropping human feces on Americans from a fighter jet.
The protests occurred amid a federal government shutdown that has entered its third week. Essential services, including federal preschool programs like Head Start, remain suspended, and many federal employees are experiencing delayed paychecks.
Local communities have reported disruptions in government support programs during this period. Several cities have taken legal action in response to federal policies and the shutdown, all while the Trump Administration demolishes the East Wing of the White House for “privately funded” ballroom addition.
The White House commenced the demolition of its East Wing to make way for that new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, projected to cost $300 million. The project is reportedly being funded by Trump himself and through private donations managed by the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit organization.
Contributors include major tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Lockheed Martin, as well as cryptocurrency firms like Coinbase, Tether America, and the Winklevoss twins. High-profile individual donors include Miriam Adelson, Stephen Schwarzman, and Harold Hamm.
The demolition commenced without the National Capital Planning Commission’s approval, causing concern among preservationists about historical architecture loss. Speculations have also rose regarding the project, which some think includes a renovation of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) beneath the White House East Wing, a WWII-era secured bunker designed for emergency situations. Despite the speculation, official reports state that the new ballroom will accommodate up to 999 guests and is expected to be completed before the end of President Trump’s term in 2029.
Coincidentally, President Trump has requested $230 million from the Department of Justice as compensation for two federal investigations he faced during his time out of office in 2023 and 2024, concerning his 2016 campaign’s alleged Russia ties and the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents. Top House Democrats are investigating this demand, labeling it as an “illegal and unconstitutional effort to steal from the American people.”
Meanwhile, Minneapolis, Denver, New York, and Chicago are among the municipalities challenging federal decisions in court, arguing that withholding funds or imposing conditions harms local operations. California officials have indicated that additional legal measures are possible depending on federal actions.
No Kings Day has already had a measurable impact on the national conversation. In the days following the protests, organizers, lawmakers, and citizens are assessing the implications of the events and planning next steps as the country navigates ongoing political and economic challenges.
