“Voting early is the first step in how we protect those rights. A vote cast today can’t be lost to a long line or a closed polling place.”
People take part in a “No Kings: Vote Early” demonstration in Wilton Manors, Florida, on October 17, 2026.
Photo by Giorgio VIERA/AFP via Getty Images
Brad Reed
Oct 17, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
More than 3,000 No Kings rallies held in all 50 US states on Saturday sought to rally voters to the polls ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
While past No Kings demonstrations have focused on protesting the policies of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, Saturday’s demonstrations were geared toward helping Americans ensure that their vote is counted in next month’s elections.
On the No Kings website, organizers described the events as “a day of nonpartisan voter participation, being in community with each other, and making sure every eligible voter has a plan, knows their options, and is ready to make their voice count.”
Speaking at a No Kings event in Atlanta, Georgia, Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg emphasized how important early voting will be to stopping any attempted meddling by the Trump administration in the elections.
“In America, power lies at the hands of the people, and we express our power at the ballot box,” said Greenberg. “Nobody knows better than the folks here that that right was never given by the powerful, it was demanded by generations of dedicated, brilliant, fearless organizers who put their lives and their freedom on the line to demand that this nation live up to its promises.”
Greenberg outlined how Trump has tried to attack the voting process throughout his second term, including his unprecedented mid-decade redistricting campaign and his attempts to restrict the right to vote by mail.
“They want chaos, fear, and confusion at the polls,” said Greenberg. “Voting early is the first step in how we protect those rights. A vote cast today can’t be lost to a long line or a closed polling place.”
In a Thursday interview with journalist Steven Beschloss, Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin said he hoped the No Kings rallies would drive “the biggest turnout in midterms in American history,” which he said was important “because we have an authoritarian” in Trump “who will take advantage of any uncertainty.”
Minnesota Democratic US Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan, whose state came under siege last winter from federal immigration agents, expressed support for the No Kings rallies in a Saturday social media post.
“This year, Minnesotans showed the world that we don’t do kings,” Flanagan wrote. “Today, we’re doing it again. No matter where you are, make your voice heard.”
The demonstrations also earned a thumbs up from Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.).
“No kings. No authoritarians. No warmongers. No despots,” Ramirez wrote. “All across the country, Americans are taking to the streets and organizing to defend our neighbors and our democracy! Remember that you have rights.”
Attendance estimates for Saturday’s No Kings protests were not available as of this writing, though past rallies have drawn as many as 8 million people nationwide.
Former GOP stars back No Kings record early-vote bid as Trump’s polling slide deepens
People take part in a "No Kings" protest as part of a nationwide day of action aimed at encouraging early voting ahead of the midterm elections in Washington, DC, US, October 17, 2026. REUTERS/Leah Millis
By: Bennito L. Kelty
People take part in a "No Kings" protest as part of a nationwide day of action aimed at encouraging early voting ahead of the midterm elections in Washington, DC, US, October 17, 2026. REUTERS/Leah Millis
By: Bennito L. Kelty
Oct 17, 2026
RAW STORY
Some of the right's best-known critics of President Donald Trump are throwing their weight behind a nationwide push that organizers hope will shatter early-voting records.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Never-Trump conservative Bill Kristol cheered on Saturday's No Kings "Vote Early" events, as the anti-Trump coalition traded its mass street protests for a drive to bank ballots ahead of the November 3 midterms.
More than 3,000 marches, cookouts, block parties and other gatherings were planned nationwide, according to reporting by NPR, with volunteers helping people confirm their registration, map out when and how they'll vote and learn their rights at the polls.
"The first three No Kings were designed to send a message," Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin told NPR. "We're done sending a message."
Levin said the coalition wants to help drive the biggest midterm early vote in American history. Organizers are also recruiting poll watchers, a move Levin tied to fears that federal immigration agents could appear at polling places and to Trump's efforts to restrict mail-in voting.
Outside Mar-a-Lago, a protester who gave her name as Rebecca told MS NOW she hopes so many people vote that the election becomes "too big to rig" for Trump and Republicans.
Kristol drew a sharp contrast between the rallies and the president's own weekend.
"A tale of two Americas," Kristol posted on X on Saturday. "Millions of Americans gather at local No Kings events to defend democracy. Trump speaks to a few thousand die-hards in KY, then holds court at a 'Candlelight Dinner' at Mar-a-Lago with MAGA fat cats seeking favor and favors from the wannabe king."
In a piece for The Bulwark, Kristol argued that the movement got ahead of the public's turn against Trump. "Before it was fashionable, No Kings was there," he wrote.
He noted that Trump held 44 percent approval against 52 percent disapproval in the New York Times polling average when the first No Kings protest took place in June 2025. Trump now sits at 37 percent approval and 60 percent disapproval. Kristol said he would attend Saturday and "tip my Bulwark baseball cap to No Kings."
Kinzinger, meanwhile, took aim at "a man in a gold-plated palace" without naming him and argued that the political ground is shifting.
"Americans are waking up and the ground under this election is moving. Everyone can feel it," Kinzinger said in a video posted on Saturday to his Substack. "But hope isn't victory. Nothing is won until the last vote is counted."
Some of the right's best-known critics of President Donald Trump are throwing their weight behind a nationwide push that organizers hope will shatter early-voting records.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Never-Trump conservative Bill Kristol cheered on Saturday's No Kings "Vote Early" events, as the anti-Trump coalition traded its mass street protests for a drive to bank ballots ahead of the November 3 midterms.
More than 3,000 marches, cookouts, block parties and other gatherings were planned nationwide, according to reporting by NPR, with volunteers helping people confirm their registration, map out when and how they'll vote and learn their rights at the polls.
"The first three No Kings were designed to send a message," Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin told NPR. "We're done sending a message."
Levin said the coalition wants to help drive the biggest midterm early vote in American history. Organizers are also recruiting poll watchers, a move Levin tied to fears that federal immigration agents could appear at polling places and to Trump's efforts to restrict mail-in voting.
Outside Mar-a-Lago, a protester who gave her name as Rebecca told MS NOW she hopes so many people vote that the election becomes "too big to rig" for Trump and Republicans.
Kristol drew a sharp contrast between the rallies and the president's own weekend.
"A tale of two Americas," Kristol posted on X on Saturday. "Millions of Americans gather at local No Kings events to defend democracy. Trump speaks to a few thousand die-hards in KY, then holds court at a 'Candlelight Dinner' at Mar-a-Lago with MAGA fat cats seeking favor and favors from the wannabe king."
In a piece for The Bulwark, Kristol argued that the movement got ahead of the public's turn against Trump. "Before it was fashionable, No Kings was there," he wrote.
He noted that Trump held 44 percent approval against 52 percent disapproval in the New York Times polling average when the first No Kings protest took place in June 2025. Trump now sits at 37 percent approval and 60 percent disapproval. Kristol said he would attend Saturday and "tip my Bulwark baseball cap to No Kings."
Kinzinger, meanwhile, took aim at "a man in a gold-plated palace" without naming him and argued that the political ground is shifting.
"Americans are waking up and the ground under this election is moving. Everyone can feel it," Kinzinger said in a video posted on Saturday to his Substack. "But hope isn't victory. Nothing is won until the last vote is counted."
Fury as Meta accused of kneecapping nationwide No Kings rallies: 'We demand answers'
“Meta pulled down the main No Kings Instagram accounts. We demand answers for why this happened during our National Day of Action,” wrote Norm Eisen, attorney and former U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic under the Obama administration. “Meanwhile, millions are mobilizing — they cannot silence us.”
Millions of Americans joined thousands of No Kings marches across the nation Saturday ahead of the midterms, with the demonstrations focusing more on “early voting and turnout rather than protesting like the previous three No Kings events,” USA Today reported.
ALSO READ:'Should be arrested': Capitol Hill demand targets Musk as misinformation floods midterms
But at approximately 1:30 p.m. ET, the main Instagram account for the No Kings coalition was taken down without warning or explanation, according to political scientist and Democratic strategist Rachel Bitecofer.
“The admins have lost access to the account. We are unable to login. This happened at the peak of our national day of action,” Bitecofer wrote.
According to Eisen, the No Kings Instagram account has since been restored, but its administrators remain “locked out and cannot post.”
“Meta must restore full access immediately,” Eisen demanded.
Zuckerberg has worked to win President Donald Trump’s favor since the 2024 election. He attended Trump’s inauguration, made multiple trips to Mar-a-Lago, scrapped Meta’s third-party fact-checking program and agreed to pay $25 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over his post-Jan. 6 suspension, ABC News reported.
“Why did [Meta] suspend the official No Kings account on today’s day of mass action?” asked Democratic strategist Grant Stern. “The account is back but still locked. This is wrong.”
Oct 17, 2026
RAW STORY
Outrage erupted Saturday after Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta appeared to take down a social media account run by No Kings organizers — just as more than 3,000 No Kings marches got underway nationwide.
Outrage erupted Saturday after Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta appeared to take down a social media account run by No Kings organizers — just as more than 3,000 No Kings marches got underway nationwide.
“Meta pulled down the main No Kings Instagram accounts. We demand answers for why this happened during our National Day of Action,” wrote Norm Eisen, attorney and former U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic under the Obama administration. “Meanwhile, millions are mobilizing — they cannot silence us.”
Millions of Americans joined thousands of No Kings marches across the nation Saturday ahead of the midterms, with the demonstrations focusing more on “early voting and turnout rather than protesting like the previous three No Kings events,” USA Today reported.
ALSO READ:'Should be arrested': Capitol Hill demand targets Musk as misinformation floods midterms
But at approximately 1:30 p.m. ET, the main Instagram account for the No Kings coalition was taken down without warning or explanation, according to political scientist and Democratic strategist Rachel Bitecofer.
“The admins have lost access to the account. We are unable to login. This happened at the peak of our national day of action,” Bitecofer wrote.
According to Eisen, the No Kings Instagram account has since been restored, but its administrators remain “locked out and cannot post.”
“Meta must restore full access immediately,” Eisen demanded.
Zuckerberg has worked to win President Donald Trump’s favor since the 2024 election. He attended Trump’s inauguration, made multiple trips to Mar-a-Lago, scrapped Meta’s third-party fact-checking program and agreed to pay $25 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over his post-Jan. 6 suspension, ABC News reported.
“Why did [Meta] suspend the official No Kings account on today’s day of mass action?” asked Democratic strategist Grant Stern. “The account is back but still locked. This is wrong.”
Fox News panel smears 'ugly' protesters as 'demented elderly people' with no friends
By: Alexander Willis
By: Alexander Willis
Oct 17, 2026
RAW STORY
A Fox News panel dedicated several minutes Saturday to attacking the millions of Americans participating in the nationwide No Kings protests as “demented elderly people” with no friends or relationship with their children or grandchildren.
Millions of Americans marched Saturday at more than 3,000 demonstrations organized by the No Kings coalition, with the fourth such protest having a greater focus on early voting and voter turnout just ahead of the midterms. For the panel of Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show,” however, the millions of Americans participating were simply agitated “baby boomers” with nothing better to do on a Saturday.
“Does that really get out the vote when you just see a bunch of geriatric grandparents out there with signs about how much they hate Donald Trump?” asked Fox News’ Tomi Lahren.
Miranda Devine, a columnist for the conservative New York Post, argued that the protests were a “very ugly look” and ultimately would not bolster Democrats in the midterms.
“All you have is really baby boomers who are reliving their misspent youth as hippies and protesters, and they have nothing better to do, clearly,” Devine said.
“And maybe they don’t have any relationships with their grandchildren or their children, or maybe they never had children. They just seem like demented elderly people who are very angry, and the one thing that really drives them is their complete and utter hatred for Donald Trump.”
Lahren concurred with Devine’s assessment — that the protests ultimately wouldn’t help Democrats at the ballot box — and also speculated that those protesting were short on friends.
“I know that this gets some people out — the people who have not a lot of friends and they need something to do on a Saturday,” Lahren said.
A Fox News panel dedicated several minutes Saturday to attacking the millions of Americans participating in the nationwide No Kings protests as “demented elderly people” with no friends or relationship with their children or grandchildren.
Millions of Americans marched Saturday at more than 3,000 demonstrations organized by the No Kings coalition, with the fourth such protest having a greater focus on early voting and voter turnout just ahead of the midterms. For the panel of Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show,” however, the millions of Americans participating were simply agitated “baby boomers” with nothing better to do on a Saturday.
“Does that really get out the vote when you just see a bunch of geriatric grandparents out there with signs about how much they hate Donald Trump?” asked Fox News’ Tomi Lahren.
Miranda Devine, a columnist for the conservative New York Post, argued that the protests were a “very ugly look” and ultimately would not bolster Democrats in the midterms.
“All you have is really baby boomers who are reliving their misspent youth as hippies and protesters, and they have nothing better to do, clearly,” Devine said.
“And maybe they don’t have any relationships with their grandchildren or their children, or maybe they never had children. They just seem like demented elderly people who are very angry, and the one thing that really drives them is their complete and utter hatred for Donald Trump.”
Lahren concurred with Devine’s assessment — that the protests ultimately wouldn’t help Democrats at the ballot box — and also speculated that those protesting were short on friends.
“I know that this gets some people out — the people who have not a lot of friends and they need something to do on a Saturday,” Lahren said.
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