What We Learned from the No Kings Rally

The No Kings rally, a patriotic pep rally for the Republic’s OG principles, pulled in a crowd that could’ve doubled as an AARP convention. We’re talking my age—mostly older white retired Americans, the kind who probably still have a landline and a TV Guide subscription—yep, the Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964).

My generation grew up being conditioned to trust “the man”—as natural as breathing. Picture this group glued to their black-and-white TVs, nodding along as Walter Cronkite signed off with his smug “And that’s the way it is,” like the news was gospel. That era hardwired them to salute authority—government, teachers, preachers, even those sketchy “eat your margarine” health campaigns. Some people just haven’t awakened to the role of news media in conditioning our perceptions of reality—truth or illusions.

The rally itself? A non-existent reason, but chill and no tear gas needed. We’re not a monarchy, but a Republic. People waved flags, preached “democracy good, threats bad,” and a few even rocked inflatable unicorn costumes—because nothing screams “save the Republic” like a mythical creature onesie. Ask some attendees why they showed up, though, and you’d get a word salad that’d make a politician proud. Vague vibes of “freedom” and “founding fathers” were in the air, but specifics? Eh, not so much. This whole shindig screamed generational and awareness gap. The Boomers out there clutching their pearls for the Constitution aren’t exactly TikTok’s target audience.

Meanwhile, the country’s stuck in a political cage match with geriatric politicians throwing verbal punches. A partial government shutdown has got everyone picking sides—some pols are out here crafting policy like they’re auditioning for Willy Wonka’s think tank, while others just point and yell “that guy’s the problem!”

The rally was a loud, proud Boomer flex for their version of America, complete with all the free speech and fuzzy intentions you’d expect.