A few years ago, a co-worker and I had a good laugh over an email that warned, “There will be a scheduled outrage tonight between the hours of such and so.” Yesterday’s No Kings Protests across America were the best example ever of a scheduled outrage. 

Sometimes, you get what you deserve instead of what you wish for. In the photos of Trump watching his lacklustre parade, he appeared downcast, disheartened, depressed and perhaps even gloomy. The others around him looked absolutely bored. My favourite clip from the day is that of a squeaking tank rolling past half empty bleachers. 

It was a day of scheduled contrasts. A clever meme shows two pictures side by side: on the left, the anemic turnout for Trump’s parade under the caption “All those in favour of fascism,” and on the right, the enormous protest crowds—pick any city—under the caption, “All those against.”

Shorty after the disastrous meeting between Trump and Zelensky in the oval office in February of 2025, Zelensky attended the London Conference on Ukraine. When he walked on stage, in front of Europe’s most powerful leaders, he was greeted with a resounding and emotional standing ovation. I couldn’t help but think how much Trump craves that kind of generous and authentic response. 

Perhaps in a military state, it’s possible to manufacture a public display of enthusiasm just because someone wishes it were so. But Americans—regardless of which side of the table they sit on—are used to expressing their feelings freely. And you can’t schedule or program that.

Keep your joy.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger, unless it’s a holiday weekend. Or summertime.