Republicans target Democrats over Charles applause

April 29, 2026

Summary

Republicans accused Democrats of inconsistency after lawmakers applauded King Charles III during his speech to Congress.

Why this matters

The exchange highlighted how symbolic moments in Congress can quickly become partisan messaging battles. It also underscored how protest slogans tied to Trump are being used by both parties in political attacks.

Republican lawmakers on Tuesday criticized Democrats for applauding King Charles III during his address to a joint meeting of Congress, citing Democrats’ past support for “No Kings” protests against President Trump.

Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., wrote on X, “Why did I just watch every Democrat in Congress stand and clap for an actual King?” She posted screenshots of Democratic lawmakers standing for the British monarch.

Charles received a standing ovation when he entered the House chamber from Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and lawmakers from both parties. During his roughly 30-minute speech, he drew additional applause, including after saying the “bond of kinship” between the U.S. and U.K. is “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”

He also drew laughs when he quoted Oscar Wilde and said the only thing the two countries do not have in common was “language.”

The Republican National Committee wrote on X, “So, what happened to ‘No Kings,’” alongside an image of Democrats applauding. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, posted a video contrasting Democrats not standing during Trump’s State of the Union address in February with their standing ovation for Charles when he mentioned the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“Democrats ‘standing,’ at the SOTU for President Trump vs. Democrats standing during King Charles III’s speech,” Hunt wrote. “The politics of hypocrisy. The next time a ‘NO KINGS,’ protest rolls through a town near you, show them this.”

The office of Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., also posted on X: “Quite the confusing scene on the House floor today. Many of Congressman Hamadeh’s Democrat colleagues, who have spent months chanting ‘No Kings,’ just gave one a standing ovation.”

Republicans also stood and applauded Charles several times during the speech.

According to the “No Kings” event website, the protests were intended to show that “in America, we don’t have kings.” Numerous Democratic lawmakers attended.

After the October protests, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, “And by the way, I’m not a king. I’m not a king. I work my a– off to make our country great, that’s all it is. I’m not a king, at all.”

On Tuesday, the White House posted a photo on X of Trump and Charles at an event earlier in the day with the caption: “TWO KINGS.”

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