During Presidents’ Day, a loud group of protestors took over the sidewalk in front of Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan to make a bold public statement about Donald Trump.
The demonstration was organized by the activist group Rise and Resist, which planned the action from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the federal holiday. The crowd gathered on Fifth Avenue, a street that has seen many anti‑Trump rallies over the years.
People in the crowd raised their middle fingers toward the building where Trump’s Midtown penthouse sits. They waved signs criticizing the president’s policies, from immigration enforcement to his handling of the Epstein files, and they chanted as they stood in the cold. Their sights were set on all the issues they blamed on the administration.
Posting online before the event, Rise and Resist wrote:
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“On President’s Day (rain or shine) join us for a nonviolent but noisy (drums, horns, singing, chanting, and flipping off Trump) demonstration outside Trump Tower.” They also added, “We will call out Trump’s crimes: why he should be impeached, convicted, and removed, and then in unison give Trump the finger and an old‑fashioned Bronx cheer.”
Protesters braved the cold, waving middle‑finger props and anti‑Trump signs. Their chants rang out against ICE and CBP, and a few signs accused Trump of serious misconduct tied to Epstein.
“FLIP OFF TRUMP” protest in NYC. Protesters chant “F*ck Trump!” with middle fingers up at Trump Tower on Presidents Day pic.twitter.com/sNxjUpoEfb
— NJEG Media (@NJEGmedia) February 16, 2026
Among the crowd, two people wearing Make America Great Again hats stood on the sidewalk. It was hard to tell if they were actual supporters or just passing through, but their presence stood out against the protesters.
Organizers had noted that U.S. Marshals were expected on the West Side of Fifth Avenue around 12:30 p.m. Their job was to watch over the protest and make sure it stayed calm. Thanks to them, the demonstration remained peaceful and orderly.
This protest did not happen by chance. Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to some of the lowest points of his second term, leaving critics from both parties shaking their heads at his leadership.
Meanwhile, resistance movements have been growing across the country. Thousands of Americans have taken to the streets in major cities to protest Trump’s immigration policies, economic decisions, and other controversial moves.
Featured image via X screengrab
