CNN Commentator Scott Jennings Labels Millions-Strong 'No Kings' Protests as Based on a 'Non-Existent Reason'

Washington, D.C. – Conservative commentator Scott Jennings recently dismissed the widespread "No Kings" protests as being based on a "non-existent reason," sparking debate during a segment on CNN's "The Source with Kaitlan Collins." His comments came as millions of Americans participated in nationwide demonstrations against what they perceive as President Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies. The protests, which occurred over the weekend of October 18-19, 2025, marked a significant public expression of dissent.

Jennings, a frequent CNN panelist, stated, "Liberals gathered to protest a non-existent monarchy in a country that, if it did have a 'king,' certainly would not permit massive protest rallies!" He further defended a controversial AI-generated video shared by President Trump, which depicted him dropping "poop-bombs" on "No Kings" protestors, calling it "kind of funny" in response to what he termed a "made-up reason" for a rally. He suggested that protestors should instead channel their energy into political campaigns.

The "No Kings" demonstrations saw an estimated 7 million people gather across more than 2,700 cities, making it one of the largest single-day protest events in recent American history, according to organizers. Participants, representing a coalition of liberal and left-leaning groups including the ACLU and Indivisible, aimed to push back against what they described as Trump's "increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption." This wave of protests followed a similar, large-scale demonstration in June 2025.

The protests gained further attention after President Trump himself denied being a "king" but subsequently shared an image of himself wearing a crown on social media. His campaign later released the AI video, set to Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone," which drew criticism from various quarters, including the singer himself. Jennings' remarks on CNN were met with immediate pushback from fellow panelist Karen Finney, who described Trump's video as "absolutely disgusting" and emphasized the peaceful nature of the protests as an exercise in democracy.

Republican figures largely criticized the "No Kings" movement, with some, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, labeling them "hate America rallies" and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning that "'No Kings' means no paychecks." Despite the political rhetoric, organizers maintained that the rallies were uniformly peaceful, focusing on preserving democratic principles and resisting perceived authoritarianism.