Today's News: Nationwide “No Kings” Protests Against President Trump’s Perceived Authoritarianism
Protesters expressed widespread grievances against administration policies, including immigration crackdowns, federal troop deployments, and the erosion of democratic norms.
Photo: Joshua Lott/The Washington Post
Overview
Date: October 18, 2025
Summary: On October 18, 2025, millions participated in “No Kings” protests across the United States and globally, condemning President Donald Trump’s perceived monarch-like actions and authoritarian policies. These demonstrations, a follow-up to similar events in June, were largely peaceful, festive, and characterized by creative costumes and signs. Protesters expressed widespread grievances against administration policies, including immigration crackdowns, federal troop deployments, and the erosion of democratic norms, all set against the backdrop of an ongoing government shutdown. While Republicans fiercely denounced the rallies as “hate America” events and linked them to violence, many Democratic leaders participated, praising the public’s resolve.
Sources
The New York Times - ‘No More Trump!’: Protesters Denouncing the President Unite Across the Country
CNN - The GOP’s extraordinary rhetoric about the ‘No Kings’ rallies
The Washington Post - No Kings protests against Trump draw huge crowds across the country
The Wall Street Journal - Across the U.S., ‘No Kings’ Protesters Rally to Oppose Trump
Fox News - Nationwide unrest looms as ‘No Kings’ demonstrators begin to gather in major US cities
Key Points
The protests were a nationwide and international movement against President Trump’s perceived authoritarian actions, with participants viewing him as acting like a monarch.
The demonstrations on October 18, 2025, were a second round of “No Kings” rallies, following similar events held in June.
Protesters expressed a wide range of grievances, including opposition to immigration crackdowns, deployment of federal troops in cities, government layoffs, budget cuts, erosion of voting rights, and challenges to democratic institutions.
The atmosphere at most rallies was described as largely peaceful, festive, and family-friendly, often featuring creative costumes and signs.
The protests occurred amid an ongoing government shutdown, with Republicans accusing Democrats of using the rallies to prolong the impasse.
Republican leaders universally denounced the protests, frequently labeling them “hate America” rallies and attempting to associate participants with “antifa” or the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party.
Many Democratic elected officials attended and spoke at the rallies, showing solidarity with the protesters.
President Trump publicly rejected the characterization of him acting like a king.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times details specific grievances such as the rollback of vaccine requirements, reversal of treaties with tribes, and the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” alongside the disbanding of D.E.I. programs. It also provides a direct quote from White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stating, “Who cares?” in response to the demonstrations.
CNN offers a detailed analysis of the GOP’s “extraordinary rhetoric,” citing specific Republican figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and critiquing the strategy as “baseless and ugly.” It references public opinion polls from Marquette University Law School and CBS News-YouGov to suggest that the GOP’s narrative about left-wing violence has not widely penetrated American public opinion.
NBC News highlights the unique angle of protester dissatisfaction with their own Democratic leaders, who were criticized for lacking “spine” or being “bought by corporate interests.” It provides specific examples of this discontent, such as the hesitance of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to endorse Zohran Mamdani in New York City, and identifies a “new generation of leaders” that protesters find inspiring.
The Washington Post reports organizer estimates of nearly 7 million attendees nationwide, which they claimed was 2 million more than the June rallies. It also mentions specific security precautions taken at the D.C. demonstration, including speakers behind bulletproof glass and law enforcement snipers.
The Wall Street Journal provides specific crowd estimates from various authorities and organizers for individual cities, such as “More than 200,000” in Washington D.C. by organizers, and “25,000+” in San Diego by police. It includes anecdotal accounts from politically mixed suburbs and unique details like a “DEI version” of the Declaration of Independence being read in Essex, Maryland, and the impact of the Times Square protest on local businesses and tourism.
Fox News primarily focuses on the Republican perspective regarding the government shutdown, explicitly quoting House Speaker Mike Johnson linking the protests to Democrats’ unwillingness to accept the GOP’s plan and avoiding “the angry mob.” It also details Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s statement on free speech and the mobilization of the National Guard in his state.
Contrasting Details
Crowd Size Estimates: While all articles indicate large turnouts, the specific numbers vary. The Washington Post cites organizers claiming “nearly 7 million people” attended nationwide. The Wall Street Journal, however, states organizers predicted turnout would “surpass the estimated five million people” from June, and provides more granular city-specific estimates, such as “More than 200,000” in Washington D.C. (organizers) and “More than 100,000” in New York City (NYPD). Fox News broadly states, “Millions of people are expected to gather.”
Characterization of Protests/Protesters: The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal consistently describe the protests as largely peaceful, irreverent, festive, and family-friendly, often highlighting the use of costumes and signs. In stark contrast, CNN, Fox News, and Republican comments cited in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal emphasize the Republican portrayal of the rallies as “hate America” events, linking them to “antifa,” “terrorist sympathizers,” or an “angry mob,” with CNN specifically calling this rhetoric “baseless and ugly.”
Impact and Effectiveness of Protests: The articles offer differing perspectives on the protests’ tangible impact. The New York Times notes that President Trump’s approval ratings “have not changed significantly,” and some protesters expressed doubt about making a difference. Conversely, The Wall Street Journal quotes Sen. Chris Murphy calling the event a “decisive moment” that requires “mass mobilization” to stop an “authoritarian takeover.” CNN suggests that despite GOP attempts to discredit them, public opinion polls do not fully align with the narrative of left-wing violence, implying a potential counterpoint from the peaceful demonstrations.
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