Older Americans see the republic as a gain to be preserved. Views among monarchists regarding the radical changes introduced by Trump to the White House are divergent. Brightsworth: 'Most American monarchists do not want the Trump family.' He adds: 'We do not believe that the monarch should be just a symbol or a ceremonial figure; we believe that the monarch should have real and extensive power.' Hoover, who studies history and religion at Ohio University, believes that comparing the Trump family to historical royal families, such as the Tudors or the Medici, is inaccurate, noting that the United States has already seen powerful political families, such as the Kennedys, Bushes, and Roosevelts. Views among monarchists regarding the radical changes Trump introduced to the White House, as well as his plans to adorn the capital with a 'Trump Arch,' are mixed. Hoover, who wears a three-piece classic suit and a pin with a two-headed eagle from the Roman Empire, comments: 'He overuses gold; there is a difference between true beauty and banality.' As the 250th anniversary of American independence from the British Crown approaches next year, the consensus on celebrating 'Independence Day' seems to no longer exist. While older Americans view the republic as a gain to be preserved, a segment of the younger generation is developing different attitudes, prompting a rethinking of the democratic system itself. University student Eric Zorlieb, a political science major at the University of North Carolina, clearly articulates this new trend, saying: 'I am a staunch Republican because I am a member of the Republican Party, but I am not a strong supporter of the republican system because I do not believe in the republic.' This unconventional stance makes him part of a growing, albeit marginal, movement among young Americans who believe that democracy is no longer suitable for their era and that it is time to return to an absolute monarchy. Zorlieb, who serves as vice-advisor to American monarchists, adds: 'If I were alive during the revolution, I would have supported the loyalists to King George III.' Recent studies have revealed a clear generational divide in Americans' views on the democratic system. While less than 1% of Americans over 65 prefer a monarchy over a republic, about 27% of young people aged 18 to 27 prefer to be ruled by a king or queen, according to a poll conducted by 'YouGov.' Zorlieb, who writes under the pseudonym 'Clements Mangolia,' believes that older generations are more attached to the republic, while his generation is more inclined to embrace the idea of monarchy. In response, last October, millions of Americans took to the streets under the slogan 'We don't want kings,' protesting what they perceived as Donald Trump's non-liberal policies. These protests spread to about 2,000 cities from San Diego to Boston, where many demonstrators wore frog costumes—a symbol of resistance to Trump. Protesters held signs outside the 'Mar-a-Lago' resort in 'West Palm Beach,' warning that 'democracy dies in silence' and that 'dictators fall when the people rise.' However, unlike these protesters, who are concerned about democracy's future, American monarchists view the political scene from the exact opposite angle. They want the United States to be more, not less, authoritarian. Zorlieb notes that despite his group's small size, it is gradually growing, attributing this to the low participation of women in the political circles where men are more active. Skepticism about the effectiveness of the democratic system is not limited to this group. There are other organizations and individuals who share this vision, including the 'American Party of United Monarchists,' which describes monarchy as 'a perfectly legitimate form of government,' as well as blogger Curtis Yarvin, who is supported by prominent figures such as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, political advisor Steve Bannon, and tech billionaire Peter Thiel. Yarvin, who writes under the pseudonym 'Mencius Moldbug,' has managed to rally a group of supporters for his idea of replacing the presidency with a king who has broad executive powers. Due to Trump's business background and his taste for opulent, gilded interiors, some believe Yarvin's ideas are beginning to materialize, and Trump's supporters openly encourage him to adopt a more 'monarchical' approach. The 'Trump Team' campaign previously released an AI-generated video showing Trump wearing a crown and a fur cloak waving to the crowd from the White House balcony. Nevertheless, Trump denies comparisons to a monarch, saying: 'I don't feel like a king; I face a lot of obstacles to get approval to get things done.' At the same time, American monarchists do not see Trump as the ideal candidate for the king they envision. The leading ideologist of the 'American Monarchists' organization, Ian Hoover (21 years old), writes under the pseudonym 'Thomas P.'
