Image: from The White House (@WhiteHouse on Twitter)
On Wednesday, February 19th, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, took to social media sharing a post with implications that are extremely troubling for the future of the nation. In the post, which was shared across multiple social media sites, Trump posted an AI generated image of himself wearing a crown, captioned, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED,” and “LONG LIVE THE KING!” The White House’s official Instagram and X accounts then reinforced the image by reposting it on their accounts. The United States is a country famous for its rejection of monarchy and the support of democracy, but President Trump’s post makes it clear that neither he nor his administration share these values our country was built on. This unsettling display has ignited widespread concern regarding the erosion of democratic principles in the United States. The President’s portrait of himself as a monarch raises critical questions about the potential shift from a democracy to an autocracy. Normalizing autocratic imagery through AI generated images can desensitize the public to the encroachment of authoritarian governing. Even if it’s intended as a joke, the President’s self-coronation reflects a troubling disregard for the principles that hold up American democracy.
The president’s use of monarchical imagery isn’t an isolated incident. In another quotation Trump stated, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” This statement makes it clear he expects to be above the law throughout his presidency, even if the actions he takes are deemed illegal. President Trump has begun to embrace the unitary executive theory, a theory which states that the constitution should forbid Congress from placing any limits on the President’s control of the executive branch. This theory is incredibly dangerous and could lead to disastrous consequences.
A critical question arises: why is the public allowing this normalization of authoritarian language? While some people may dismiss it as a mere joke, history teaches us that authoritarian leaders often use humor and exaggeration to gauge public reaction before implementing real policy changes. If Trump’s self-coronation is “only a joke,” then it’s a dangerous one that reflects a dismissive attitude toward the importance of democracy. Additionally, when the White House itself endorses such a message, it sets a precedent for future administrations to push the boundaries even further. The lack of widespread condemnation signals a worrying complacency where citizens may not fully grasp the weight of such symbolic actions.
In order to safeguard against the consolidation of absolute power it is imperative for citizens to critically analyse political language and imagery. Understanding how such representations can shape the government empowers individuals to hold leaders accountable. It is also important to actively participate in the preservation of democratic institutions. This participation can be as simple as not sharing Trump’s content (even as a joke), knowing your rights and fighting to maintain them, or writing letters to local officials with concerns. Democracy is not self sustaining. If citizens fail to question and challenge authoritarian tendencies they risk losing the freedoms they often take for granted. The time to push back against such rhetoric is now, before the joke becomes a reality.
Lily Spivey is a junior at Washington High School and has lived in Fremont her whole life. This is her first year working on The Hatchet and she hopes to cover current events, pop culture, and student life. Lily spends most of her free time reading, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. She’s also been on the varsity swim and water polo teams since her freshman year. In the future, she hopes to become a pediatrician and have a house near the coast.