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Fact check: What is the historical origin and founding principles of the No Kings movement?

Checked on June 14, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The "No Kings" movement has two distinct interpretations based on the provided sources:

*Contemporary US Political Movement:

  • A coordinated protest movement organized by Indivisible and the 50501 Movement [1] [2]
  • Planned for June 14, 2025, coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday and the US Army's 250th Anniversary Parade [3]
  • Involves approximately 200 organizations and planned protests in over 2,000 cities [3]

International Anti-Monarchy Movement:

  • A broader international movement challenging traditional power structures and monarchies worldwide [4]
  • Active in countries including the UK, Spain, and Thailand, led by figures like Graham Smith and Ana Pardo de Vera [4]

**2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints**

The original question assumes a single, unified "No Kings" movement, when in fact there appear to be two distinct movements using similar branding:

  • The US-focused movement is specifically targeting Donald Trump's perceived authoritarian behavior [1] [3]
  • The international movement has broader goals related to abolishing monarchies and promoting democratic societies [4]
  • The name "50501" represents "50 protests in 50 states on one day," showing strategic organization [2]

**3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement**

Several potential biases need to be considered:

Political Organizations:

  • Progressive political action groups like Indivisible benefit from framing this as a grassroots movement against authoritarianism [1]
  • Anti-monarchy organizations like Republic benefit from presenting this as part of a broader international movement [4]

Timing and Symbolism*:

  • The choice of Flag Day and Trump's birthday for protests is deliberately symbolic [3]
  • The movement's name itself carries loaded political implications, comparing elected officials to monarchs [2]

It's important to note that different sources emphasize different aspects of the movement, suggesting that various groups may be attempting to shape the narrative to align with their specific goals and objectives.

Want to dive deeper?
What are the core ideological beliefs and principles of the No Kings movement?
How has the No Kings movement influenced modern anti-monarchist sentiment globally?
What role did the No Kings movement play in American revolutionary thought?
How does the No Kings movement relate to other anti-authoritarian political movements?
What specific historical events led to the formation of the No Kings movement?