CNN anchor Abby Phillip sparked controversy this weekend after suggesting President Donald Trump was behaving like a Hollywood character, accusing him of rhetorically crowning himself “King of the World” during recent public remarks.
Phillip made the comparison while discussing President Trump’s aggressive foreign policy posture during his second term, drawing a parallel to a famous line delivered by actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the blockbuster film Titanic. Critics argue the analogy was intended to portray Trump as reckless, while supporters say it reflects the media’s continued hostility toward his America-first agenda.
The comments came shortly after President Trump participated in a high-profile event with U.S. energy executives, where he spoke at length about national security, global energy independence, and America’s strategic interests abroad. During the event, Trump fielded questions from reporters and reiterated his long-standing position that the United States must protect its economic and geopolitical advantages in an increasingly unstable world.
One topic that quickly drew media attention was Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland, a strategically important Arctic region. Trump emphasized that access to critical minerals, shipping routes, and military positioning in the Arctic are vital to U.S. security—statements that critics framed as confrontational, but supporters viewed as realistic leadership in an era of rising global competition.
On CNN Saturday Morning Table for Five, Phillip labeled Trump’s approach the so-called “Don-roe Doctrine,” portraying his rhetoric as a departure from traditional diplomacy. She suggested the president believes U.S. power abroad is constrained only by his own judgment, rather than international institutions or agreements.
Phillip also referenced recent developments involving Venezuela and longtime strongman Nicolás Maduro, arguing that Trump’s actions signal a willingness to reshape the balance of power in the Western Hemisphere. Conservatives, however, counter that Trump is addressing threats previous administrations ignored—particularly regimes aligned with America’s adversaries and hostile to U.S. interests.
Supporters argue that what cable news frames as “unchecked power” is simply decisive leadership after decades of weak foreign policy, failed globalism, and endless negotiations that produced little results for American workers and taxpayers.
While critics continue to rely on pop-culture metaphors and dramatic language, Trump’s allies say the substance matters more than the soundbites. In their view, the president is restoring American strength, securing energy independence, and reminding the world that the United States will no longer lead from behind.
As the media debate continues, one thing is clear: President Trump’s leadership style remains a defining—and polarizing—feature of his second term, energizing supporters who believe America needs strength, clarity, and resolve on the global stage.