Donald Trump declares himself ‘King’ in mad boast as White House and world spiral into chaos

Just a month after returning to the White House, many Americans and people around the world aren’t comparing Trump to King Charles but to King George III, who was known for his madness.

Donald Trump has always loved luxury, gold-plated decor, and grand royal-style displays. He once even compared himself to Jesus. But since he can’t reach that level of devotion, this week, he took a different approach—calling himself a king.

On Wednesday, Trump celebrated his administration’s decision to cancel New York City’s congestion pricing plan with a dramatic statement on social media. “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan and all of New York are SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” Shortly after, an official White House account posted an edited image of Trump in royal robes on a fake Time magazine cover. The image, widely believed to have been created with Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok 3, was first shared by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich. Many saw this as another example of Trump’s massive ego.

Trump’s actions since returning to power have gone from strange to outright dangerous. This week, he shocked the world by calling Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” while defending Russia’s invasion. He even repeated Kremlin propaganda, falsely claiming that Ukraine started the war, not Russia. His eagerness to rewrite history in Moscow’s favor has only deepened concerns about his loyalty to democratic values.

U.S. political analyst Patrick Finn believes Trump’s admiration for Vladimir Putin isn’t just about policy but about power. He has always been drawn to autocrats because he sees in them a reflection of his ideal leader—someone unshackled by democracy, accountability, or the rule of law. By siding with Russia, he isn’t just distorting history to fit his narrative; he’s actively working to dismantle the global order that has kept the West stable for decades.

Even some Republican senators, who usually support Trump without question, have spoken out against him. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy strongly rejected Trump’s claims, saying that Putin is a gangster with a black heart, comparing him to Stalin. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, who had just returned from Ukraine, made it clear that Putin alone was responsible for the invasion, warning that Russia’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine and could threaten the entire region.

Trump’s foreign policy has become almost absurd. He has proposed turning Gaza into a luxury beach resort called the “Gaza Riviera,” as if casinos and golf courses could solve a war. He has once again expressed interest in buying Greenland, an idea that was mocked during his first term. Even more bizarrely, he has hinted at making Canada the 51st U.S. state, with insiders saying he is serious about the idea.

At home, Trump’s behavior has been just as reckless. After a deadly plane crash near Washington, he bizarrely blamed “DEI and midgets,” offering no further explanation. He has issued an unprecedented 1,500 pardons for those convicted in the January 6 Capitol riot, including members of far-right militias and people found guilty of assaulting police officers. Among those pardoned was a man sentenced to 20 years for violent insurrection.

Trump has also abandoned America’s role in global cooperation. He pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, leaving the world’s climate efforts in chaos. He cut ties with the World Health Organization, calling it a “globalist scam.” His stance on China has also confused observers; after years of condemning Beijing, he suddenly said he was “fine” with China spying on American children, giving no further details.

Despite claiming he is not a dictator, his language has become increasingly extreme. He has taken to calling Democrats “dogs,” a move widely seen as an attempt to dehumanize his opponents. His administration has also left thousands stranded, including 1,600 Afghan refugees who had already been approved for resettlement in the U.S. but were abandoned after Trump scrapped America’s refugee program.

During his first term, Trump was power-hungry but still somewhat restrained by experienced officials who could sometimes contain his worst impulses. That is no longer the case. His new administration is filled with loyalists who are devoted to him above all else.

Kash Patel, a former Trump aide known for pushing conspiracy theories, is now the director of the FBI. Tulsi Gabbard, who once served as a Democratic congresswoman but later became a fierce Trump defender, now oversees foreign affairs. Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host with no governing experience, has been given a senior role in the Department of Defense. Pam Bondi, once Florida’s attorney general and now a full-time Trump supporter, has taken over the Justice Department.

Under any other president, these figures wouldn’t be considered qualified to run a government agency, but under Trump, their loyalty is their most important qualification. With both Congress and the Senate controlled by Republicans, there is little standing in his way.

Trump has always been obsessed with his image, and now he is acting more like a modern-day Richard III—a ruler convinced of his own greatness, surrounded by flatterers and yes-men. The consequences of this unchecked power are already being felt.

The erosion of democratic norms, the abandonment of allies, and the blatant disregard for truth are not mistakes; they are deliberate choices. The world has seen leaders like this before, and history shows that it never ends well. As Trump continues to blur the line between democracy and dictatorship, his self-coronation feels less like satire and more like a chilling glimpse into his second-term ambitions.

With America heading further down this dangerous path, the biggest question remains: Who, if anyone, can stop him?