Former US president’s offhand remark sparks outrage among royal supporters
Donald Trump has found himself at the centre of a storm after comments he made about kings were seen as a thinly veiled insult to King Charles.
The controversy dates back to Trump’s two-day State Visit to the UK in September—a trip he described as “one of the highest honours of my life.” The visit was largely considered a diplomatic success, with the former US president praising King Charles and the Royal Family at the State Banquet. He called the monarch “a great gentleman” and said Charles “epitomises the fortitude, nobility, and spirit of the British monarchy.”
But a later remark about his own work ethic quickly soured that goodwill. When asked about the “No Kings” protests, Trump quipped, “I’m not a King, I work my a** off to make the US great!”
The comment triggered swift backlash online, with many royal fans accusing Trump of taking a swipe at the King. One user wrote, “Kings don’t work???? That’s a nasty backstab to your good mate Charles!” Another added, “Is that a dig at Charles?” Political commentator Dan Hodges weighed in too, noting, “OK. But that’s what our King does.”
Jonny and Ollie with King Charles and President Trump.🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/kQ4iog6141
— 🎩Laird of the Manor🎩 (@LairdOfTheManor) September 20, 2025
While it’s unlikely Trump meant to insult the monarch, his words were enough to spark a fresh round of criticism. Reports suggest that after days of formal events and tours of royal collections with visiting tech executives, Trump joked that he was “ready for a break” from sightseeing—another comment some viewed as dismissive.
Whether intentional or not, the remark has once again shown how Trump’s blunt style can turn a diplomatic success into a public relations headache, leaving many royal supporters fuming.
