Pop sensation Madonna has taken aim at Donald Trump once again, this time criticizing the former president for declaring himself 'the King' on social media. The controversial statement came after Trump celebrated halting plans for congestion pricing in New York City, posting on his Truth Social platform, 'CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!'
The White House amplified Trump's declarations, sharing his message on Instagram alongside an illustration of the former president wearing a crown, channeling the imagery of royalty.
Madonna, widely recognized as 'the Queen of Pop,' responded to Trump's remarks on X (formerly Twitter), expressing her disdain. '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,' she wrote. 'Currently, we have a president who calls himself our King. If this is a joke, I’m not laughing.'
Madonna's strong statement reflects her long-standing opposition to Trump's policies and rhetoric throughout his presidency. She previously condemned Trump for his actions against the LGBTQ+ community and has been active in protests against him since his inauguration.
The incident has sparked significant reactions online, with some users fiercely defending Trump, asserting he did not call himself 'our King' but was addressing past labels from locals. Others echoed Madonna's concerns, pointing out the dangers of political figures adopting monarchical language.
On February 21, Trump asserted himself as 'King' as he boasted about defeating the congestion pricing plan—a proposal aimed at charging cars entering busy Manhattan. This plan had been the subject of heated discussions, with many New Yorkers divided on its implementation.
Madonna's latest remarks come on the heels of Trump's return to controversial dialogues, as he also ignited criticism for reinstatement policies impacting the military's stance on transgender service members—a move viewed as regression by many LGBTQ+ advocates.
After expressing her grievances against Trump’s declaration, Madison received mixed responses, including criticism from social media users who reminded her of her past controversial comments, including threats made against the White House.
Stephen King, the horror fiction author and another vocal critic of Trump, chimed in on the matter, labeling Trump as 'traitorous' due to his affiliation with Russian President Putin. King’s remarks echoed Madonna's sentiments about the potential dangers of such imperial language emanated from the presidency.
This back-and-forth highlights the continuing deep divides within American political discourse, particularly as figures like Madonna and King are vocal about their opposition to Trump's presidency. The dynamics of celebrity influence and political critique are eager to see how they evolve as we advance toward another political contest.