Donald Trump Jr. defended former President Donald Trump against claims of authoritarianism during a Fox News interview aired on October 22, 2025, following widespread protests against the Trump administration.
“If he was a king, he probably would have never left the office the first time,” he stated, addressing concerns fueling the opposition movement.
Critics argue that although Trump left office in 2021, it was after he encouraged supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an effort to overturn the election results and remain in power.
Donald Trump Jr.’s remarks came amid growing tensions over President Trump’s use of executive power since returning to office in January. The administration has used executive orders to dismantle federal agencies, deployed National Guard troops to cities against the wishes of governors, and faces accusations of directing prosecutions against its opponents. These actions are viewed by critics as unconstitutional threats to democracy.
President Trump addressed the issue on Fox News, stating, “They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” in an interview before attending a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
The interviews followed large-scale demonstrations on October 18, 2025, during which approximately seven million people participated in the “No Kings” protests across the country. Over 2,600 events took place nationwide, with demonstrators in New York City’s Times Square and smaller towns. Protesters carried signs such as “Democracy not Monarchy” and “The Constitution is not optional,” with some wearing symbolic inflatable frog costumes.
The protests marked the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to office, coinciding with an 18-day government shutdown. Republican leaders attempted to discredit the protests, with House Speaker Mike Johnson labeling them as hate America rallies, predicting they would highlight antifa factions and Marxist ideologies.
Some Republican governors called in National Guard troops over concerns of violence. Kansas Senator Roger Marshall acknowledged the need for troops, expressing hope for peaceful events but doubting whether such outcomes were likely. Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated the National Guard due to anticipated Antifa-linked demonstrations in Austin, where 30,000 people gathered peacefully.
Despite warnings from Republican officials, the protests proceeded without major incidents. The New York Police Department reported gatherings of over 100,000 people across the city with no arrests. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders spoke at a Washington rally, stating participants were motivated by love for America and warning of threats to democracy.
Beth Zasloff, a writer at the New York protest, expressed concerns about a shift toward authoritarianism. Massimo Mascoli, a retired engineer from New Jersey, protested due to fears the U.S. was following Italy’s historical path, citing immigration and healthcare issues.
In Bethesda, Maryland, a protester held a sign reading “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting.” Brian Reymann, at the Washington rally, criticized being labeled a terrorist by Republicans, describing them as misguided rather than unpatriotic.
The protests also occurred internationally, with hundreds gathering outside the American embassy in London and rallies in Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Barcelona, and Toronto. In Toronto, demonstrators displayed signs reading “Hands off Canada.”
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, speaking after the protests, described the shutdown as enabling Trump to wield king-like powers, suggesting the president might prefer a closed government for selective operation and loyalty-based employment.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated 40 percent of Americans approved of Trump’s presidency, while 58 percent disapproved. The president dismissed claims of dictatorial behavior, insisting his actions are necessary for national recovery.