On October 18, 2025, something remarkable happened in the United States: more than 7 million people participated in protests held across all 50 states, organized under the banner of “No Kings”.
These demonstrations were not isolated to big cities—they took place in thousands of towns and cities nationwide, signaling a very broad swell of public dissent.
The protest movement was built around the idea that America should never be ruled by a “king,” a metaphor for unchecked power, authoritarian impulses, and what many participants view as the administration of Donald Trump moving in that direction.
Large turn-outs were seen in major cities—Chicago’s rally stretched for miles, Washington D.C. was packed, and the energy was high though understandably tinged with concern.
The Why: What People Were Protesting
Why did so many take to the streets? The organizers and the participants pointed to several reasons:
A fear of rising authoritarianism, with allegations of the federal government using heavy-handed tactics, deploying troops, using federal agents, and cutting back on democratic checks.
An attack on core liberties, especially the right to peacefully protest, free speech and assembly—asserted in the words of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as the foundation of the rally.
A wide sense of frustration about everyday issues: immigration crackdowns, federal worker furloughs, and the idea that ordinary voices weren’t being heard.
The Sound of the Moment: Bruce’s Voice
Enter Bruce Springsteen. At the opening gala of the American Film Institute (AFI) on October 22, for his new biopic – Deliver Me From Nowhere – Springsteen stepped on stage and didn’t shy away from the moment. He said:
“Outside, all hell is breaking loose in the United States.”
“For 250 years around the world … the United States … has served as a beacon of democracy and hope and freedom.”
He acknowledged the damage: “America has been terribly damaged recently,” yet urged the audience that “that country and those ideals remain worth fighting for.”
Before launching into his track Land of Hope and Dreams, he introduced it as “a prayer for America, our community and no kings.”
Springsteen’s message connected directly with the protest movement: he echoed the refrain of “No Kings” by rejecting the notion of monarchy or uncontrolled power in a democratic society—and reinforced his role not just as musician, but as cultural commentator.
The Back-and-Forth: Sparks Fly
Springsteen’s outspoken remarks didn’t go unnoticed by the former president. During his summer Europe/UK tour, Springsteen repeatedly introduced his song with lines such as:
“In my home, the America I love … is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration.”
Trump fired back on social media: describing Springsteen as “highly overrated”, calling him a “pushy, obnoxious JERK”, and telling him to “keep his mouth shut until he gets back into the Country.”
Far Out Magazine
Springsteen simply replied: “I absolutely couldn’t care less what he thinks about me.”
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Why This Matters
Scale & unity: Seven million people across every state is extraordinary. It’s not just about one city or one community—it’s a broad national mood.
Culture meets politics: When a figure like Springsteen uses his stage to reflect protest themes, it amplifies the message beyond rallies into homes, screens, and conversations.
Democracy under discussion: The heart of the movement is a simple but powerful idea—that power belongs to the people, not to a king, not to unchecked executive force.
The role of hope: Springsteen’s referencing of “beacon of hope and freedom” reminds us this is not purely about anger—it’s also about what we want the country to be, despite its problems.
What’s Next?
The “No Kings” movement emphasizes that October 18 was not an ending—it was a step. The toolkit posted by organizers urges people to stay connected, informed, trained in peaceful protest, and engaged at local levels.
No Kings
For Springsteen fans, music lovers, or anyone tuned into culture and politics, this moment may serve as a catalyst: the songs, quotes, protests—they all feed into a larger story of how Americans see their democracy and their role in it.
Final Thoughts
When millions take to the streets, a cultural icon takes the stage and speaks truth to power, and a movement defines itself with a clear slogan (“No Kings”), we’re witnessing more than noise. We’re witnessing a story: about fear, about hope, about what a country says it stands for—and what its people demand it live up to.