What did Donald Trump do today?

He called himself a king.

New York City recently implemented a $9 once-daily fee to drive into lower Manhattan. This kind of toll, known as a "congestion charge," is designed to reduce traffic jams and gridlock that often cripple urban centers. Similar charges exist in London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore. 

New York's adoption of congestion pricing was controversial—until it went into effect, when it immediately became popular. It dramatically improved traffic conditions in Manhattan, as well as the highways passing through New York which are not subject to the charge.

Today, Trump announced out of the blue that the program was "DEAD." He then immediately called himself a "king" on his private social media site, then posted to the official White House Twitter account a fake Time Magazine cover depicting him in royal robes and a crown. 

Contrary to his statement that it was already "dead," congestion pricing will continue indefinitely. It's not clear Trump has any legal authority to stop the charge, which applies exclusively within the City of New York.

In reality, Trump is the president of the United States, which is neither a king nor a dictator, but an elected official who is subject to its laws.

Trump, who was born in Queens and travels only in a motorcade, recently ordered his Justice Department to drop bribery and corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, because—as Trump administration officials have openly admitted—it allows Trump to control Adams with the threat of bringing the charges back. Eight career prosecutors have resigned as a result. Normally a routine affair, that motion to dismiss is now being closely scrutinized by the supervising federal judge.

Why does this matter?

• No matter how many times he says otherwise, no matter how much he believes it, Trump is not a king and not above the law.

• Trump is not joking.

• Americans don't need to be "saved" from government programs they like.

• The kind of "king" Trump is pretending to be doesn't have to lie about how much power he has.