A video circulating online appears to show protesters dressed as characters from The Handmaid’s Tale marching through downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The group crossed the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge before gathering at Public Square Park as part of coordinated “No Kings” demonstrations held across the state. Organizers said the Nashville events drew thousands of local participants and were part of a broader series of protests taking place nationwide.
A 57-second video from the Tennessee march began circulating widely online, particularly on X. Viewers quickly pointed out the elaborate Handmaid’s Tale-inspired costumes and signs referencing Jeffrey Epstein. Reporters from the Tennessee Lookout also observed that demonstrators’ signs addressed a broad range of political issues, including immigration policy, foreign affairs, and public figures such as Epstein and Trump.
The video gained even more attention in online circles, already tracking the No Kings movement.
The video shows a large group of protesters walking through downtown Nashville wearing red robes and white bonnets while chanting “No Kings,” to the tune of “The Hanging Tree” from The Hunger Games. Protesters held up signs with names of Epstein associates like Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz, while others carried broader anti-authoritarian messages.
Online Reactions Pour In
The video sparked a wave of reactions online, with responses to the Nashville footage largely supportive. One commenter wrote, “People have had enough.” Others focused on the messages displayed on the signs, with one person saying, “That was awesome — name them all.” While some viewers criticized the protest, others questioned the use of costumes in a political demonstration.
Some pushed back on the protest’s framing, with one writing, “Meanwhile MAGA is enjoying their Saturday, grilling out, enjoying a sunny day — tomorrow morning Trump will still be your President.” At least one critic appeared outraged by the choice of costume, writing, “Why are they wearing those ugly red costumes anyway? It’s not even close to Halloween yet.”
Nashville holds a special place in the No Kings movement’s history. Back in May 2025, the city made national headlines for a joint ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol operation. Agents pulled over and arrested immigrants, whether or not they posed any real threat. At Saturday’s march, several organizers spoke out directly against ICE, referencing that very incident.
A White House spokesperson responded to the protests by criticizing the demonstrations, dismissing them as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions” and questioning their significance.
The Nashville protest video went viral because it was so unexpected: in a strongly Republican Southern capital, thousands of demonstrators gathered in *Handmaid’s Tale* costumes, holding signs referencing Epstein’s associates, during what organizers described as the largest day of protest in American history.
The video continues to spread online as viewers share their reactions to the demonstration.
