Midas was a king in Greek mythology who was granted the power to turn everything he touched into gold. However, this gift proved to be a curse as it caused trouble in his life. As a result, the name "Midas" has become associated with the concept of extreme wealth or greed.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: King with a golden touch. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.