"Donald Trump wants to spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to throw himself a big fancy parade with tanks in the streets," said one organizer. "This is straight out of the authoritarian playbook."

Jake Johnson May 06, 2025

"Pro-democracy campaigners late Monday announced a nationwide “No Kings” day of defiance on June 14—the same day U.S. President Donald Trump plans to hold a birthday military parade more befitting a dictator than an elected head of state.

More than 100 “No Kings” events have already been registered across the U.S., with many more expected in the weeks ahead of the day of action. "

  • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
    251·
    3 days ago

    He’s not styling himself as a king

    trump’s apartment:

    Opinion piece by trump’s former National Security Advisor:

    trump tells Christians they won’t have to vote anymore after this election:

    His actions certainly fit my definition of “styling himself as a king”. What is your definition of that phrase?

    There’s no shame or logic or reasoning that will convince him or his followers to abandon their power.

    No one is expecting to change trump’s mind or his full red hat wearing folks. However, there are lots and lots of folks that either didn’t vote, or voted apathetically for trump that wouldn’t want the USA to be ruled by an absolute monarchy (by trump or anyone else for that matter). Those are the folks we need to reach.

    • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
      55·
      3 days ago

      I’m not saying the analogy isn’t apt. I’m saying a narcissist doesn’t care about things like perception or truth, and his followers won’t, either.

      • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
        11·
        3 days ago

        I’m saying a narcissist doesn’t care about things like perception or truth, and his followers won’t, either.

        I already replied to that: No one is expecting to change trump’s mind or his full red hat wearing folks. However, there are lots and lots of folks that either didn’t vote, or voted apathetically for trump that wouldn’t want the USA to be ruled by an absolute monarchy (by trump or anyone else for that matter). Those are the folks we need to reach.

        • raoulduke85@lemm.eeEnglish
          5·
          2 days ago

          Exactly this. Plus it builds community and makes people feel like they aren’t alone, especially in red cities like mine.

          I’ve organized these rallies and every time I always get new people saying this is their first time at a protest. Last Hands Off! rally, I met a veteran who said she voted for Trump and regrets it, so she’s trying all she can to right her wrongs.

          • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
            8·
            3 days ago

            by stroking his ego and chasing his laser pointer around.

            You keep focusing on what trump might feel about this protest. I don’t give a shit what he feels about it.

            And you’re not going to reach them

            Do you believe the majority of Americans (not just people who voted in the last election) want to abandon our power to elect our leaders and instead have an unelected king?

            • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
              22·
              3 days ago

              I believe a majority of Americans are too disconnected from the process and from history to understand why calling someone a king is bad. It’s simply not a message that resonates with most Americans. The fact that Trump and his supporters will turn it into lube for jerking off is just further proof it’s not the right message, and the fact that you don’t care what he or they think is further proof how far out of your depth you are in this fight. You still think you can win by making the better argument and gathering a larger group of supporters.

              • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
                2·
                3 days ago

                I believe a majority of Americans are too disconnected from the process and from history to understand why calling someone a king is bad. It’s simply not a message that resonates with most Americans.

                I disagree with you, but you’re welcome to your own opinion.

                The fact that Trump and his supporters will turn it into lube for jerking off is just further proof it’s not the right message,

                Again with focusing on what trump and his deep MAGA folk will think. I don’t care what they think on this. This isn’t a message for them. There may be other messages at another time, but this isn’t for them. Not every message is for MAGA folk.

                and the fact that you don’t care what he or they think is further proof how far out of your depth you are in this fight. You still think you can win by making the better argument and gathering a larger group of supporters.

                If we are truly in the minority of political opinion, then making a better argument and gathering larger group of supporters is our only path out of this. If we are actually in the majority opinion, then we only need to convince a much smaller group which is currently apathetic and/or sitting on the sidelines. Either way, trying to appeal directly to trump or pure MAGA folks is a dead end.

                I haven’t heard you propose any alternative. Are you going right to suggesting an immediate armed uprising or do you have an alternative approach besides “not king message”?