Trump Sends The Left Into A Tailspin With ‘King’ Meme

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President Donald Trump ignited a media firestorm Wednesday after sharing an image depicting himself wearing a crown with the caption, “LONG LIVE THE KING.” The meme, which he posted to X, formerly Twitter, came after his administration successfully pressured Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to abandon the state’s controversial congestion pricing scheme.

Congestion pricing is a tolling strategy designed to reduce traffic congestion by charging vehicles to enter or travel through certain areas, typically during peak hours. The goal is to encourage people to use public transportation, carpool, or adjust travel times to reduce gridlock.

The move is a major blow to New York Democrats, who had planned to impose hefty tolls on drivers entering Manhattan to fund the city’s crumbling mass transit system. On Wednesday the U.S. Department of Transportation revoked approval for New York City’s congestion pricing plan, which would have imposed tolls on drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street.

In a letter to Governor Hochul, the department rescinded the program’s authority, effectively ending the tolling initiative. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the plan as unfair to working-class Americans and small businesses, arguing it forces drivers to pay more despite already funding highways through taxes.

He also noted the tolls would raise costs for goods and limit access to the city. The decision stems from two key issues: the lack of a toll-free alternative for drivers and the program’s focus on raising revenue for public transit rather than reducing congestion. The Federal Highway Administration will assist in shutting down the program.

“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” Trump wrote in a celebratory post.

 

“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” said Duffy. “Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already financed the construction and improvement of these highways through the payment of gas taxes and other taxes.”

“Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few,” Duffy finished.

The decision follows at least two discussions between President Trump and Governor Hochul about discontinuing the program according to CBS News. Governor Hochul held a press conference at Grand Central Terminal shortly after the Trump administration announced the policy, where she firmly stated that the toll-collecting cameras in New York would stay operational.

She sharply criticized President Trump for his comments, saying, “President Donald Trump tweeted, ‘Long live the king.’ I’m here to say New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years,” Hochul said. “And we sure as hell are not going to start now.”

MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber announced that the New York transportation agency will take legal action to oppose any federal attempts to abolish the tolls.



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