US President Donald Trump has declared himself a “king” after striking down New York’s congestion pricing plan, a move that has sparked jubilation among hosts of the Fox & Friends morning show and outrage from state officials.
The president’s self-aggrandising comments came as his administration revoked federal approval for the scheme, which was designed to reduce traffic and fund mass transit in New York City.
Speaking on Thursday, Fox & Friends presenters cheered Trump’s decision, describing his “king” remark as a playful jab at Democrats.
“He’s making fun of them, driving them crazy with a little bait,” one host said, adding that the move sent a warning to other “liberal” cities.
The reaction follows recent praise from Fox News, which lauded Trump for “triggering the libs” by suggesting he is above the law.
New York’s congestion pricing programme, launched just weeks ago, aimed to ease gridlock in Manhattan by charging drivers entering the busiest parts of the city. Early data indicated success, with reduced traffic and a rise in footfall downtown.
However, the Trump administration argued the toll unfairly burdened working-class drivers and opposed using the revenue for public transport rather than road repairs.
In a celebratory post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING.” The White House amplified the message on its official X account, sharing a mock Time magazine cover depicting Trump wearing a crown.
Taylor Budowich, White House deputy chief of staff, also posted an AI-generated image of the president in a royal cape.
The remarks drew a fierce response from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who vowed to challenge the decision in court and preserve the pricing scheme. Speaking at a rally on Wednesday, Hochul declared: “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years and we sure as hell are not going to start now.”
She accused the administration of attacking the state’s “sovereign identity” and held up the White House’s tweet as evidence.
“The streets of this city, where battles were fought, we stood up to a king and we won,” Hochul said to applause. “When New Yorkers are in a fight, we do not back down—not now, not ever.” Pointing to the mock Time cover, she added: “Think about this next time you’re stuck in traffic.”
The clash marks the latest escalation in tensions between Trump and Democratic-led states over urban policy.
Legal experts say any court battle could hinge on federal authority versus state rights, potentially setting a precedent for similar schemes nationwide. For now, New York’s streets remain a political battleground, with no clear resolution in sight.
