Donald Trump: the president who would be king
White House staff appear to have welcomed the president's 'kingly pretensions'

Founding Father George Washington viewed the notion that he should be the US' first monarch "with abhorrence". The 47th president, however, seems to have no such reluctance when it comes to having a crown placed on his head.
In a post on his Truth Social site this week about forcing the suspension of a congestion charge pilot scheme in New York City, Donald Trump finished with a triumphant: "LONG LIVE THE KING!"
The president's deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich shared a post with an AI image of Trump wearing robes and a crown, while the official White House X account posted a mock-up magazine cover featuring a crown-wearing Trump in front of the New York skyline.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The startling impression, said The New Republic, was that "the rest of the White House was overjoyed to see the president was dropping the pretence of democracy".
'Spoken like a true dictator'
Trump's autocratic leanings raised eyebrows earlier this month in another post in which he shared the quote: "He who saves his Country does not violate any Law." It's a phrase attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, who declared himself Emperor of France in December 1804, going so far, according to legend, as snatching the crown from the hands of Pope Pius VII to place it on his head himself.
"Spoken like a true dictator," said Democratic Senator Adam Schiff on X, in a response typical of those from Trump's political adversaries.
It's a "remarkable choice" of reference, said The Washington Post, one which is "anathema" to the vision of George Washington and his fellow Founding Fathers. But Trump has "barked up this tree before", claiming during his first term that his authority was "total". More recently, he has argued that presidents should have total immunity from criminal prosecution, no matter how serious the offence.
Trump later shared a meme version of the quote alongside the news his administration had violated a court order by refusing to reverse a freeze of billions in government funds. "In other words, Trump was – however deliberately – promoting the idea that violating a court order was justified under this Napoleonic view of dictatorial power."
'Ever-widening reach of presidential power'
Trump's actions show that he believes the power of his office is invested in him personally – and that he wants more, said The Economist.
Many of his executive orders are "brazenly" unconstitutional, government employees are being asked to declare their allegiance to him and he's "swept away" the safeguards keeping the Department of Justice and politics apart. As a result, one of its first acts has been to call for the dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams – "though only for as long as he does what Mr Trump demands".
Indeed, Trump views his power as "pretty much indistinguishable" from that of an absolute monarch, said D.A.T. Green in Prospect magazine, and his "kingly pretensions" are erasing the checks and balances enshrined in the constitution in the form of Congress and the courts. Republican legislators could join an uprising if they come to "resent being robbed" of their law-making powers. But until that happens, we can expect to see "an ever-widening reach of presidential power".
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Elizabeth Carr-Ellis is a freelance journalist and was previously the UK website's Production Editor. She has also held senior roles at The Scotsman, Sunday Herald and Hello!. As well as her writing, she is the creator and co-founder of the Pausitivity #KnowYourMenopause campaign and has appeared on national and international media discussing women's healthcare.
-
Rescissions: Trump's push to control federal spending
Feature The GOP passed a bill to reduce funding for PBS, NPR and other public media stations
-
The knives come out for Pam Bondi
IN THE SPOTLIGHT She wasn't Trump's first pick to lead the Justice Department. After months of scandals and setbacks, is the attorney general's MAGA shelf life winding down?
-
What to expect for student loan repayment under Trump's budget bill
The Explainer Millions of borrowers may soon be forced to alter their plans
-
Rescissions: Trump's push to control federal spending
Feature The GOP passed a bill to reduce funding for PBS, NPR and other public media stations
-
The knives come out for Pam Bondi
IN THE SPOTLIGHT She wasn't Trump's first pick to lead the Justice Department. After months of scandals and setbacks, is the attorney general's MAGA shelf life winding down?
-
Can Gaza aid drops work?
Today's Big Question UN's Palestinian refugee agency calls plan a 'distraction and smokescreen' as pressure mounts on Israel to agree ceasefire and fully open land crossings
-
'Spending is what card issuers are hoping you will do'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Deportations: The growing backlash
Feature New poll numbers show declining support for Trump's deportation crackdown