“Long Live the King”: Trump’s Propaganda Machine and the Future of America
The White House recently posted an image of Donald Trump with the caption “Long live the king”, sparking immediate backlash and conspiracy theories about the state of American democracy.
Was this just another case of online trolling, or is it a calculated propaganda move to normalise the idea of Trump as something beyond a president—a monarch, a ruler, a king?
And more importantly—why does this keep happening?
Trump’s Obsession with Power
This isn’t the first time Trump has referred to himself in monarchical terms.
- In 2019, he retweeted an image of himself as a king, with his face imposed on the Game of Thrones “Sanctions Are Coming” poster.
- In 2020, he joked about serving more than two terms, despite presidential term limits.
- His supporters have called him the “chosen one”, a messiah-like figure destined to save America.
This latest “Long live the king” post is just another step in the slow creep of authoritarian-style propaganda.
Propaganda or “Just a Joke”?
The White House quickly deleted the post after the backlash, but by then, the damage had already been done.
The thing about propaganda is—it doesn’t have to be believable. It just has to be loud.
- The more outrageous something is, the more people talk about it.
- The more people defend or criticise it, the more it cements the idea into public consciousness.
- Even if it’s dismissed as a joke, it still works as a psychological tool to normalise the idea of Trump as a ruler rather than an elected leader.
It’s a classic authoritarian move: say something shocking, backtrack, and let the idea take root anyway.
The Future of American Propaganda
The US has long been seen as the land of free speech and democracy, but this kind of political messaging raises concerns about whether America is moving towards a state-controlled narrative—something seen in countries like Russia, North Korea, and China.
- The Great Distraction – The more outrageous headlines there are, the less focus there is on real political issues.
- Cult of Personality – Framing Trump as a “king” creates a leader-worship dynamic, where laws and democracy become secondary to the individual in power.
- Algorithm Manipulation – The post was deleted, but the debate continues across social media, spreading further than if it had simply been left up.
In Russia, Putin’s face is everywhere—on posters, T-shirts, even religious paintings. In North Korea, Kim Jong-un is literally seen as a god. Is America now heading in the same direction?
Is This Just Feeding the Fire?
One of the most dangerous aspects of modern propaganda is that it thrives on controversy. The more people talk about it, dissect it, and react to it, the more power it holds.
- The post was deleted—but it had already done its job.
- People who didn’t see it firsthand are now reading about it everywhere.
- Trump’s base, instead of being outraged, is more convinced than ever that he is “their king.”
Every time a political stunt like this happens, the bigger question isn’t just why—but what is it distracting from?
Final Thoughts: America’s Political Future
Is America shifting away from democracy into something else?
The “Long Live the King” post is just another piece of the puzzle in a larger strategy of media manipulation, cult-like leadership, and growing political polarisation.
The real question is—is thais the America people actually want?