“No Kings Day” an impressive nothingburger
No Kings Day drew millions into the streets, but despite the theatrics, it proved to be a masterclass in political irony—an anti-monarchy protest that showcased the very freedoms it claimed were under siege. As impressive as it was, it was still a nothingburger in terms of impact.
If you were anywhere near a major city on October 18, 2025, you might have thought the Fourth of July came early (or late?). Crowds alternately chanted “No Kings in America” and “USA, USA, USA”. Streets were flooded with flags, signs, costumes, and enough righteous indignation to power a small wind farm.
No Kings Day was a nationwide protest against what organizers saw as the “monarchic tendencies” of President Trump. According to organizers, more than seven million people participated in 2,700 rallies across the country.
Now, before we crown this event as the Second Coming of the Boston Tea Party (when there was a real king to depose), let us take a moment to appreciate the irony. Here were millions of Americans exercising their constitutional right to protest, shaking fists at Trump and waving signs that read “End the Tyranny” and “No Kings in America,” all while proving—by their very actions —that democracy, the Constitution and the First Amendment are alive and well. No jackbooted Gestapo. No royal edicts demanding silence and dispersal. No massive arrests. Just a lot of folks with grievances, granola bars, and good walking shoes.
It was, in a way, a beautiful contradiction. The protest’s success was its own rebuttal. If Trump were truly the tyrannical king they claim, would not these rallies have been squashed like a bug under a golden slipper? Instead, they were livestreamed, tweeted, and celebrated by the very media outlets that claim democracy is on life support.
Of course, the left does love a good march. They have it down to a science—complete with branded hashtags, coordinated outfits, and enough organizational muscle to rival a Taylor Swift tour.
No Kings Day was backed and funded by a veritable alphabet soup of progressive groups, Including: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Communication Workers of America, Planned Parenthood, Democratic Socialists of America, Communist Party USA, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, League of Conservation Voters, Reproductive Freedom for All, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, Common Defense, Indivisible, etc., etc., etc.
The numbers of revelers were padded by Democrat administrations in cities and states that “encouraged” public workers to participate. It also had the promotional support of the left-leaning media. Millions of dollars in funding was provided by the SEIU, AFT, MoveOn, George Soros’ Open Society Foundations and many other major and grassroots donors.
I provided a list of many — but not all – of the sponsors and funders to better understand that the large crowds were not entirely organic. This was a very well planned, organized and funded event.
But here is the kicker. Did it change anything? Apparently not.
Despite the impressive turnout and the theatrical flair, the protest did not seem move the political needle. The government shutdown trudged on. Trump’s policies remained firmly in place. No new legislation emerged from the fog of slogans and speeches. The wars in Gaza and Ukraine continued unabated. It was, as Shakespeare might say, “a tale told by millions, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”.
Even branding experts were scratching their heads. Donny Deutsch, MSNBC’s resident marketing guru, called the “No Kings” theme a misfire. “Talk about healthcare,” he advised. “Talk about food prices. Talk about something people actually care about.” Other Democrat leaders expressed similar sentiments.
They may have a point since all the imagery was centered on the “no kings” theme with very little about the array of specific issues that motivated different people, The organizers were too enamored with their metaphorical monarchy – at the expense of the real issues.
No Kings Day was less about policy and more about performance. It was a feel-good moment for the progressive base—a chance to vent, unite, and cosplay as anti-royalist revolutionaries. There were costumes, chants, and even a human banner on Ocean Beach in San Francisco. It was political theater at its finest, complete with all the drama and none of the consequences.
And that is the real story here. In a nation where protests are not only allowed but celebrated, No Kings Day had a shallow ring. It was a testament to the very freedoms it claimed were under threat. It was a paradox wrapped in a protest, sprinkled with satire and served on a platter of performative outrage. It had all the reality of a Broadway stage play.
So, what is the legacy of No Kings Day? A few viral TikToks. Some clever signs. And a reminder that in America, you can call your president a tyrant, march in the streets, and still make it home safely in time for dinner. That is not tyranny. That is just another day in the good old USA.
In the end, the protest may not have changed policy, but it did offer a moment of clarity. It showed that while the left may be loud, organized, and well-funded, they are still struggling to connect with the broader electorate. The “end of democracy” narrative did not resonate in 2024, and it is not gaining traction now. Trump’s reelection was a surprise to many, but it was also a rejection of the left’s apocalyptic messaging.
So, here is a modest proposal for future protests. Fewer monarchy metaphors — and definitely no more Hitler, Nazi, fascist name-calling). While “No Kings” makes for a catchy chant, it does not pay the rent. And as for the alleged king? He is still tweeting and still governing as the legitimately elected President of the United States. There is no throne in the Oval Office.
So, there ‘tis.
Larry sees himself as a genius of politics.
Here 7 million people express some opinions and he says, “eh fuck em if they can’t take our joke.”
Guess that’s how you win elections, listen to the people and just say “FUCK OFF” to the ones having different ideas.
No wonder Spanky slapped him good. And he says it didn’t hurt. Yeah, right. Not in Chicago anymore is he?
Dunger you really should stop posting. Nobody cares about your opinions. It’s all dung.
Frank Danger … All your posts are about me — or at least the Larry Horist in your obsessed. “Larry is this..” Larry thinks that …” Larry is a pugnacious prick …” And you constantly compare yourself to me. I have even seen you writing about me when responding to other PBP writers. I am flattered, of course — even if your posts suggest a pathetic jealousy pumped up by inferiority issues. And nothing you write is ever original or new. Just the same old crap. LOTS of words but no new thoughts. Carry on, old man!
I was pretty clear that I am leaving, just leave me alone, but hey, into the breach one more time. There is no discussion here, just dismissal of reality and name calling. It’s not a forum, it’s a coliseum. You tout free speech, but accept lies, ad hominem attacks, and worse, for money.
Yes, the recent posts were all about you, you asked for it. But all posts? You flatter yourself, as expected. Big fish, small pond. Sucking pondwater mostly. From the muddy bottom. If you call for the rain, expect to deal with some mud too. And you called for the rain, you called for the thunder, and now that HELL has come, you cry like a baby.
I am glad you recognize you are a pugnacious price who constantly picks fights and then blames the other guy for starting it.
Also, a shameless whore who touts he has a black daughter in his bio used to sell his book which is priced slashed with zero reviews on Amazon. We get your drift. Bet you printed it yourself and need to breakeven. Heh, heh.
You wouldn’t recognize a new thought if a magical lightbulb appeared above your head. But here’s one:
You claim FOX news is everything because they have less than 2 million viewers. Great.
You claim NO KINGS day with 7 million attendees is a nothing burger. Ironic, ain’t it.
Where does that put YOU given your media outlets?
Like I said, let it go old man and I am gone. You win. Trump your felon King is unique in American politics. He does things for law and order we have never seen and has stopped illegals at the border. His peace plans are Nobel level. His drug plan an amazing accomplishment. If these go according to plan, they are legacy accomplishments. But I suggest you leave me alone, do not call down the thunder, let it go. In which case, good bye and good luck.
Why would a black daughter be an issue? More racism from the left? Good riddance Dunger. You’ve shown us what you really think.
UT; why indeed? It’s one thing to note you are a family man with a daughter. Mr Horist is compelled to highlight a special attribute for his. What was the title of his book? .
Surprised he slid that one by you, you are usually quite observant.
How is it racist to highlight what he wrote in his own bio about himself in furtherance of selling his book?
Just saying.
uncle tom … Frank Danger is back despite his two- or three-time proclamation that he is done. He is obsessed. He cannot stop. With regard to my Black daughter, I published my book on the history of Democrat racism in the past year. My Black daughter has been part of our family for the past 50 years.. She has nothing to do with the motivation or promotion of the book. Franks raising it in the way he has done repeatedly not only reflects his racism, but reveals the utterly contemptable low life to which he descends when attacking those with whom he disagrees. He is pathetic in his inability to maintain civil discourse. That is why I ceased to regularly respond to him.
But we love frank because he writes more than we do…
Frank Danger … I would bid you a “fond farewell”, but I suspect your retirement from the pages of PBP will be short-lived, We have seen this movie before.
I only come back for you because I hate low class bullies.
And it was YOUR bio to sell YOUR book where YOU felt compelled to note your daughter’s skin color. Didn’t mention adoption….
Again, just saying. What a jerk.
Let it go.
Frank Danger … I know you better than you know yourself because I knew you could not stay away no matter how many times you claim to do so. LMAO Since you are mentally unable to ignore me and the folks at PBP, I shall go back to ignoring you,
Bullshit, your bio states your daughter’s skin color. On Amazon. I would print it here, but am blocked. Check the moderators.
Frank Danger …;Why are you so obsessed with my Black daughter. It is merely a fact of my family biography for the past 50 years. How every racist of you … and so ugly. And what about the Frank Danger who has written me and Punching Bag Post off. LMAO. You cannot do it. That is why it is called an obsession, You cannot control yourself, Ooops. I forget I was going back to ignoring you — as I have in the past. You can rest assured that I will be more successful.
As I continue my exit and post less every day, Horist posts more and calls me obsessive?
Is your daughter still Black? You still give her color a shout out in your resume. Tis yours, you wrote it, you use it. WHY? Why specify your kid’s color? And then call people who notice: RACISTS. Hmmm, who’s on first?
Come on Horist, tis you that wrote the resume I copied verbatim that calls out her skin color. Of all the facts you could have added, you went with skin color. At the same time, selling your book about skin color. Ironic, ain’t it.
And now you regale us with the fact she has been Black for over 50 years, and in your family. Thanks, needed that.
“Ooops. I forget I was going back to ignoring you.” Best luck in your endeavors. And your daughter of 50 years will still be Black, I gather.
Spanky the Clown died in 2024. Funeral services were private. Donnellan Funeral Home handled the arrangements. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen Baechel; his three brothers; and many nieces and nephews. They are all white.
Said Dunger
Yes Larry, the authoritarian in chief has not totally clamped down on protesting, but he mischaracterizes them on a daily basis. However, despite your blathering above, these protests did not ‘prove’ that the protesters were wrong and everything about this administration is normal and following the constitution. The Republican Congress is completely abdicating their duty to provide ‘advice and consent’ regarding the president’s action, having been MIA throughout trumps term, and critically during the current government shutdown. The protests were about tyrant Trump’s institution of tariffs with no congressional action (which voters are starting to realize are taxes on them, especially the poor), bombing boats claiming them to be narco terrorists (a breach of international law that should have him brought before the international criminal court), lying to the public in tearing down the east wing to build his gold plated ballroom, turning ICE into a gestapo-like force in order to terrorize the immigrant community-all done with nary a peep from congress. So, is it your dementia causing you to write bullshit like this, or you really don’t understand what the massive protests were all about, or you were just lying to the few readers who think you honestly have an understanding of the world and give a shit about humanity? Your choice, suppose you tell me (us) which of these is the case, because your tome certainly didn’t describe the rationale behind the protests or dispute the fact that trump is acting like an untouchable president.
Shhhh. You will wake Dunger up
Not so worried about Frank, just wonder if we’ll wake Larry from the dementia induced fog that he exists in…
from a-zon: “Editorial Reviews
About the Author
xxxxxxxxxxx is a civic and political activist with extensive professional and personal experience with racial issues in segregated urban communities. His family includes a Blaxx daughter. xxxxxxx’s consulting firm served as advisors to the Chixxx and Detroit boards of education and has represented distinguished clients such as the xxxxx House, magazine publisher Steve xxxxxxs’ presidential campaign, the City Club of Chicxxxx, Nobel Laureate xxxxxxxxxx, and political candidates of both parties. His political commentary appears several times a week online at Punchxxxx xxx.xxx xxxxxxxx currently resides in xxxx xxxx, xxxxxxx.”
as you wrote it.
Dunger while you are in the site bitching and moaning your state is going to turn red.