The first ‘No Kings’ rally took place on June 14 to oppose a military parade organized to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and the president’s birthday. For many, the parade symbolized a growing trend toward authoritarianism, militarism, and power consolidation. The name itself serves as a direct rejection of Trump’s monarchical tendencies and to remind him that the President should serve the people, not rule over them.
Now, for the second time, large crowds of protesters marched and rallied in cities across the country on Saturday under the banner of ‘No Kings’. People carrying signs with endearing slogans such as “So bad, even the introverts are here,” or “No Kings. No Chains,” or “Born to dilly dally, forced to fight fascism” packed into New York City, Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago. Demonstrators marched through Washington and Los Angeles, and even in many Republican-led states.
MAGA branded the rally as “Hate America” rallies, but in many places, the events looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, huge banners with the “We the People” preamble, and demonstrators wearing inflatable costumes, particularly frogs and unicorns.
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Frogs and Unicorns Against a King
People in inflatable costumes of frogs, unicorns, and even Cookie Monster became the symbol of the No Kings protest. They were everywhere, even in Republican states. As at many of the No Kings protests across the country, attendees embraced the example set by the taunting frog outside Portland’s ICE facility.
Ever since Donald Trump claimed that Portland was overrun by Antifa, colorful animal costumes have become commonplace at protest rallies. For protesters, the outfits serve to “de-escalate” interactions between protesters and ICE agents. “When you have people in inflatables bouncing around, it’s going to be very difficult to say this was a war zone, this was a riot,” a protester told Oregon Live.
The outfits have become so popular that there is even a website named Operation Inflation. The website allows people to donate money to provide free costumes at the ‘No King’ protests.
The frog is the central symbol of the movement and has been nicknamed the Portland Frog. It is based on a viral TikTok video, which appears to show an ICE agent firing a chemical spray directly at the air vent of a protester’s frog costume in Portland.
The choice of unicorns is also symbolic. It symbolizes hope, individuality, and the magical possibility of unity against perceived authoritarian threats. Slogans like “Born to frolic, called to fight fascism” and other playful signs remind protesters and observers that the movement is fighting for the soul of America with heart and humor.
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MAGA Meltdown is Ugly and Predictable
The reaction from MAGA supporters to the No Kings protests was predictable and antagonistic. Trump was largely dismissive and even leaned into the idea of “being a king.” Trump wasn’t even at the White House during the protests but on a vacation to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Key Republican figures at both the grassroots and leadership levels are portraying the demonstrations as unpatriotic or extremist. House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed the protests as a “hate America rally,” and other Republicans have derided the event as “anti-American.” When journalists questioned Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman, about the protests, she dismissed them by saying, “Who cares?”
Trump and Vance amplified the MAGA sentiment on social media, sharing memes and imagery depicting Trump as a literal king and ridiculing protesters. Trump’s approach was to embrace and parody the “king” label. He posted edited images showing himself in royal garb or piloting a fighter jet labeled “KING TRUMP.” These types of posts have always held sway with his base, while portraying the protests as unserious and alarmist.
Republican governors in states like Texas and Virginia unleashed the National Guard. They claimed it as a way to prevent unrest, while framing the protests as security risks tied to anti-Trump radicalism. Key MAGA politicians used the protest to blame the protests as the real cause of ongoing political dysfunction, such as the government shutdown. They contrast themselves as defenders of order and patriotism.