Former President Donald Trump has ignited controversy by posting an AI-generated video in which he portrays himself as “King Trump,” complete with a golden crown, piloting a fighter jet over a crowded protest scene.
The video, released on his social media platform, shows the jet—branded with “King Trump”—flying above a digitally rendered Times Square. As the aircraft soars over protesters gathered for the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, it releases a brown liquid onto the crowd. The clip is set to the soundtrack of Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone,” echoing the dramatic tone of military-style action films.
The timing of the post coincided with large-scale demonstrations across all 50 U.S. states, where nearly seven million people reportedly participated in the “No Kings” protests. The movement, aimed at rejecting authoritarianism and the growing cult of personality in politics, drew support from a broad coalition of voters, activists, and civil liberties organizations.
Critics quickly condemned the video as inflammatory, accusing Trump of glorifying violence and mocking the constitutional principles of democratic governance. The imagery of him acting as a self-declared monarch alarmed many, especially in light of his ongoing campaign rhetoric.
In contrast, many of Trump’s supporters dismissed the protests as unpatriotic, referring to them as “hate-America” demonstrations and downplaying the AI video as satire.
The incident reflects the growing use of AI-generated content in political messaging, raising concerns about how artificial media can shape public perception, spread disinformation, and blur the line between political commentary and provocation.
