Spoof video of Trump wearing Silla crown, dancing with Melania goes viral

A digitally altered video shows U.S. President Donald Trump wearing a Silla gold crown while dancing with first lady Melania. Captured from X

A digitally altered video of U.S. President Donald Trump wearing a replica of an ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935) gold crown and dancing with his wife, Melania, has gone viral online, following his recent summit with Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

The video, shared on social media platform X, appears to mock Trump’s authoritarian image amid the growing “No Kings” protests in the United States.

In the clip, Trump is seen wearing the crown while holding hands and dancing with Melania in what looks like a royal palace. Around them, people wearing red hats with his slogan “Make America Great Again” applaud and cheer.

The video is widely interpreted as satire targeting Trump’s monarchical tendencies and his fascination with symbolic power.

The “No Kings” protests, criticizing Trump’s alleged authoritarian rule, have been spreading across the United States. The movement, which began on Oct. 18 in Washington, D.C., reportedly took place simultaneously in all 50 states, drawing about five million participants.

During the rallies, images depicting Trump wearing a crown went viral as internet memes. Following his meeting with Lee, those depictions evolved from European-style crowns to the Silla crown that was presented to him during his visit to Korea.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with President Lee Jae Myung after receiving a replica of a Silla gold crown on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 29. Reuters-Yonhap

Lee presented Trump with a replica of the Silla gold crown excavated from the Cheonmachong tomb during the Korea-U.S. summit on Wednesday, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Gyeongju. Trump took the crown aboard Air Force One on his return trip.

The British daily The Mirror quoted body language expert Judi James as saying, “President Trump couldn’t take his eyes off the crown immediately after receiving it and looked as if he were in ecstasy.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.