President Donald Trump sparked a media firestorm on Wednesday after posting an image of himself wearing a crown with the caption, “LONG LIVE THE KING.” The meme, shared on X (formerly Twitter), followed his administration’s successful pressure on Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to abandon the state’s controversial congestion pricing plan.
Congestion pricing is a tolling strategy aimed at reducing traffic congestion by charging vehicles to enter or travel through certain areas, usually during peak hours. The goal is to encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, or adjusted travel times to ease gridlock. The move is a significant setback for New York Democrats, who had intended to impose hefty tolls on drivers entering Manhattan to fund the city’s deteriorating mass transit system.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation revoked approval for New York City’s congestion pricing plan, which would have charged drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. In a letter to Governor Hochul, the department revoked the program’s authority, effectively halting the tolling initiative. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the plan, calling it unfair to working-class Americans and small businesses. He argued that it unfairly burdens drivers with additional costs, even though they already contribute to highway funding through taxes.
He also pointed out that the tolls would increase costs for goods and restrict access to the city. The decision was based on two main issues: the absence of a toll-free alternative for drivers and the program’s focus on generating revenue for public transit rather than addressing congestion. The Federal Highway Administration will assist in shutting down the program. “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” Trump wrote in a celebratory post.
“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” said Duffy. “Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already financed the construction and improvement of these highways through the payment of gas taxes and other taxes.” He added: “Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.”
