No Kings anti-oligarchs will support 'tyrants' if they share ideology: Guy Benson

Washington Examiner columnist says No Kings protesters aren't actually opposed to authoritarianism if the tyrant supports their beliefs.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:08pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting depicting a crowd of protesters marching, with overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conveying a sense of energy and movement.The No Kings protests have become a major political force, but some question whether the movement is truly opposed to authoritarianism or simply supports it when it aligns with their ideology.Burlington Today

Washington Examiner columnist Guy Benson criticized the No Kings protesters, saying they 'aren't actually' opposed to oligarchy or authoritarianism if the tyrant behind it supports their beliefs. Benson cited Sen. Bernie Sanders' 1988 honeymoon trip to the Soviet Union as an example, arguing that some protesters who claim to be against authoritarianism are actually in favor of it if the regime shares their ideology.

Why it matters

The No Kings protests have become a major political force, with numerous lawmakers delivering speeches at the latest nationwide demonstrations. Benson's comments suggest the protests may be more about partisan politics than a genuine opposition to oligarchy and authoritarianism.

The details

Benson made the comments on Fox Business's Varney & Co. show, where he discussed the third nationwide No Kings protests held on Saturday. He said the protests are a 'pressure valve' for the Democratic Party and spotlighted a speech by Sanders, where the senator rejected 'authoritarianism' and 'oligarchy.' However, Benson argued that Sanders himself had honeymooned in the Soviet Union in 1988, when he was serving as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont.

  • The third nationwide No Kings protests were held on Saturday.
  • Sanders' 10-day honeymoon to the Soviet Union took place in 1988, when he was serving as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont.

The players

Guy Benson

A Washington Examiner columnist who criticized the No Kings protesters on Fox Business's Varney & Co. show.

Bernie Sanders

A U.S. Senator from Vermont who delivered a speech at the latest No Kings protest, where he rejected 'authoritarianism' and 'oligarchy.' However, Benson pointed out that Sanders had honeymooned in the Soviet Union in 1988.

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What they’re saying

“I would simply note that this is a man who chose to honeymoon in the Soviet Union, and I wonder what his thoughts were on a left-wing oligarchy and authoritarian regime because I think some of these people who say that they're against those things aren't actually.”

— Guy Benson, Washington Examiner columnist

“They're for them if the tyrants share their ideology.”

— Guy Benson, Washington Examiner columnist

The takeaway

Benson's comments suggest that the No Kings protests may be more about partisan politics than a genuine opposition to oligarchy and authoritarianism, as some protesters may be willing to support 'tyrants' if they share the protesters' ideology.