No Kings? The Parade That Missed Its Own Irony
Let’s start by clearly stating that I’m not a fan, nor supporter, of Donald Trump.
Or any politician for that matter.
I’m taking a neutral, analytical look—something not many people seem to know how to do anymore, at the deep contradictions behind the No Kings protest—and how I feel it reflects something bigger: a societal collapse in common sense.
It’s funny how concepts that are vehemently unpopular now are the same ones that just a few years ago the same people currently in outrage were applauding.
It’s been like this for a while.
Here’s when it got motivating for me to write about.
On June 14, 2025, millions of protesters filled the streets all across the United States under the banner of the No Kings Parade, denouncing what they describe as the authoritarian behavior of President Donald Trump.
Organized via NoKings.org, the event positioned Trump as a “king” or “dictator,” claiming he has overstepped the bounds of presidential power—which, tbh, some days I feel like he does.
Trump definitely deserves some, and in some cases a lot of, criticism.
That said, the real question is: why didn’t this same energy exist when king-like behavior was on display a few years ago? Instead, it was the complete opposite. It was normalized and even applauded.
When King-Behavior Was Welcome
Let’s rewind.
Between 2020 and 2022, the United States government—under Biden—rolled out sweeping mandates in the name of public health and safety:
Mask mandates and vaccine requirements became prerequisites for travel, work, and even attending school. According to Executive Order 13991, masks were federally required in all government buildings and transportation systems as early as January 20, 2021.
In September 2021, Biden announced that all employers with 100+ employees must mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or require weekly testing. Federal workers? No option. Get the shot or get fired. MUST. You have no choice. You are required to do this.
Small businesses were shuttered, often permanently, while big-box retailers like Walmart and Amazon operated as “essential.” The playing field was obliterated. One leader hand selecting who can stay open vs who must close.
I understand the fear of COVID, and these requirements were presented as a way to keep us safe.
However, the CDC later admitted cloth masks “offer lower levels of protection”.
On the vaccine front, one thing is clear: the mandates led to many lawsuits, resignations, and massive public backlash.
What’s up for debate is the science. I’m not going to debate that. In my opinion, if you’re forced to get one or many vaccinations, there should be minimal side effects and no chance of getting the virus.
I know people who received many COVID vaccines and boosters and they got COVID more than once. And they were never better off than people I know who did not get the vaccine.
Regardless, this is king-like behavior. We were forced to close our businesses, get shots, wear masks, etc. And if we didn’t, we were fired, punished, or restricted in what we were allowed to do.
How come many of the same people now shouting about Trump’s authoritarianism were silent, if not supportive, of these top-down mandates?
Where was the No Kings Parade then?
The Undemocratic Path to Biden & Harris
Let’s talk elections.
In the lead-up to 2024, President Biden ran for re-election with no Democratic debates. Prominent Democrats who attempted to challenge him—like Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips, and RFK JR—were denied platforms, faced restricted ballot access, and were not given any opportunities to participate in debates.
It’s almost like the powers that be said: there will be no contest, you will vote for Biden.
A leader selected behind closed doors, shielded from public scrutiny, and handed the nomination.
And what happened when Biden’s cognitive and physical decline became undeniably public?
The Democratic apparatus quickly shifted support toward Kamala Harris—a deeply unpopular VP with no grassroots movement or competitive primary victories.
Yet she was selected as the natural successor, without receiving any votes.
Literally forced onto the American people—very king-like.
Comical Support of The No Kings Parade
One of the most curious angles of the No Kings Parade? Its rumored financier.
A full-page ad promoting the protest was allegedly funded by Christy Walton, an heiress to the Walmart fortune and one of the richest women in America, worth over $20 billion.
Let’s unpack the irony.
Walmart is one of the largest importers of Chinese-made goods in the world.=
Trump’s tariff policies disrupted China’s ability to flood U.S. markets with low-cost exports—costing companies like Walmart millions.
Even if you remove the debate or conspiracy about Walton funding the protest, bottom line, she’s using her wealth—built off global labor and Chinese imports—to paint Trump as a king, to protect her own empire. Not because she’s worried about the people.
The contradiction and self-interest is astounding.
The Collapse of Common Sense
This is where it all converges.
We live in a time when truth is subjective, facts are optional, and social media mobs (and bots) dictate morality.
I haven’t found hard science on this, but I believe the average American’s cognitive ability to separate emotion from logic has significantly decreased over the past decade.
Whether it’s media polarization, social media algorithms, or education system failures, the result is the same:
Common sense is dying.
We no longer recognize irony even when it slaps us in the face.
Like protesting kings while also empowering them.
Like demanding democracy while silencing debate.
Like vilifying mandates, but only depending on who signs them.
Final Thought: Wake the F Up
I’m not defending anyone.
I’m calling out hypocrisy, inconsistency, and the intellectual laziness that’s plaguing our political discourse.
It’s like we’re forced to be so extreme nowadays.
You’re either far right or far left. And because of that, you hate anyone on the other side.
I think a lot of people would love to find peace in the middle. I know I would.
The No Kings Parade wasn’t useless—but it was selectively outraged and willfully blind to the authoritarian overreach it once welcomed.
You don’t have to support Trump. You don’t have to support Biden. Just please start applying the same lens to both sides.
We’re the only ones who lose in this game. The politicians all make it out alive (and somehow a whole lot richer).
Here’s to a parade for common sense.