President Trump held an Oval Office signing event today for: (1) PROMOTING RETIREMENT-SAVINGS ACCESS FOR AMERICAN WORKERS BY ESTABLISHING TRUMPIRA.GOV, and (2) PROMOTING EFFICIENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PERFORMANCE IN FEDERAL CONTRACTING.
Following the executive order signing, President Trump took questions from the assembled press pool. WATCH:
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Several key economic reports were released today highlighting a broad and strong U.S. economy with a very strong labor market.
♦ The first quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) [DATA HERE] The first estimate is for growth at 2.0 percent. At first glance that is lower than we expected; however, a deeper look shows a large increase in imported goods that are deductions to the equation. The imported goods increased 25.8% more than the fourth quarter of 2025 [Table 1.1], that led to a net -1.30 percent deduction [Table 1.5].
The jump in imports is a result of massive capital expenditures on tools and equipment for the ongoing manufacturing boom. All the manufacturing machines and industrial tools that are not made in the USA become imported goods deducted from our economic valuation.
Exports were very strong rising 12.9 percent over the prior quarter. However, the 25.8% increase in imports created a net deduction from GDP (-1.30%). The last time we imported this much was just before the tariffs went into place and companies were rushing advanced orders, in the first quarter of 2025; this created a rebound effect in the second quarter.
I estimate the second quarter rebound will be even greater this year because we are exporting massive amounts of oil and LNG right now. Simultaneously, the capital expenditure imports will likely soften.
GDP Table 1.1 highlights the jump in imports. (Percent change vs prior quarter):
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GDP Table 1.5 highlights the impact on overall GDP Calculations: -2.62 imports +1.32 exports = -1.30 net deduction.
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♦ Meanwhile the Dept of Labor (DoL) weekly report on unemployment claims showed U.S. jobless claims have dropped to their lowest level in more than 50 years. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, initial applications for unemployment benefits fell by 26,000 to 189,000 for the week ending Friday (April 25), far below the 214,000 new claims analysts had expected. [DATA HERE] This marks the lowest number of new filings since September 1969.
We continue to see the trend where halted illegal migration and ongoing deportation operations are driving up wages and bringing people off the sidelines for work. The jobless claims reflect a stable and growing economy and strength in employment.
♦ The Mid-East gulf oil crisis is keeping oil prices high which has led to an increase in overall energy and gasoline prices. This is boosting the inflationary numbers; however, the optimistic perspective is that these price increases will subside in the longer term as the Iran issue is resolved.
Oh boy, this indictment puts Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in a really precarious position. If President Sheinbaum gives up the Governor of Sinaloa, Mexico, Ruben Rocha Moya to extradition the Sinaloa cartel will go ultra-violent against Sheinbaum and Moya will likely take down the entire government apparatus with him.
[Ancillary to this, it now makes sense why all the various Mexican federal officials were publicly criticizing the Trump administration and CIA in recent days. They knew this in advance.]
The DOJ (SDNY) has indicted Mexican Governor Ruben Rocha Moya along with nine current and former Mexican officials for participating “in a corrupt and violent drug trafficking conspiracy with the Cartel to import massive amounts of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States.
“The defendants have played a variety of essential roles for the Cartel: among other things, the defendants have allegedly shielded Cartel leaders from investigation, arrest, and prosecution; caused sensitive law enforcement and military information to be provided to members of the Cartel and allied drug traffickers to assist the Cartel’s criminal activities; directed members of state and local law enforcement agencies, such as the Sinaloa State Police, the Investigative Police for the Sinaloa State Attorney General’s Office, and the Culiacan Municipal Police, to protect drug loads stored in and transiting through Mexico to the United States; and allowed brutal drug-related violence to be committed by members of the Cartel without consequence. In exchange, the defendants have collectively received millions of dollars in drug money from the Cartel.” (link)
[(Seated, Right) Rubén Rocha Moya, 76 years old — Acting Governor of Sinaloa. Conspiracy to import narcotics, possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Maximum penalty: life imprisonment. Mandatory minimum: 40 years. Party: Morena. (Seated, Left) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.]
VIA LBR on Twitter: – […] This move represents a direct and aggressive escalation by Washington against the highest levels of the Mexican state apparatus. The indictments detail a systemic entanglement between regional Morena governance and cartel operations, effectively labeling the Sinaloa state leadership a criminal enterprise under U.S. law.
This legal assault by the DOJ decapitates the political leadership of one of Mexico’s most strategically sensitive states at a moment of extreme national fragility. By targeting a sitting governor, the U.S. is signaling a total collapse of bilateral trust and an end to the era of diplomatic shielding for Mexican officials. The move is designed to force a confrontation within the Sheinbaum administration, leaving Mexico City with zero room to maneuver between its domestic political alliances and the threat of total diplomatic isolation. The fallout will be immediate and chaotic.
Beyond the legal proceedings, these indictments serve as a precursor to broader sanctions and a likely reclassification of Mexican security cooperation. For the Mexican government, the era of managed stability in Sinaloa is over; Sheinbaum is now facing a direct challenge to state legitimacy and a physical security vacuum that will likely trigger a violent internal restructuring of cartel hierarchies and government control.” (SOURCE)
“I would urge you to see the truth of the situation you are in Claudia. That is my advice. It is not for me to tell you what you should have done or not done. The world in which you seek to undo the mistakes you made is different from the world where the mistakes were made. You are now at the crossing, and you want to choose – but there is no choosing here. There is only accepting. The choosing was done a long time ago. … I don’t mean to offend you, but reflective women often find themselves removed from the realities of life. In any case, we should all prepare a place where we can accommodate all of the tragedies that sooner or later will come to our lives. But this is an economy few people care to practice, and that is because when it comes to losing leadership the normal rules of exchanges do not apply, because losing office transcends value. Nicolas Maduro would give his entire nation to exit his reality, and yet he cannot buy anything without office, because without office he is worthless.” [Context]
KEY POINTS:
0:00 Introduction: Operation Economic Fury
0:39 Max Pressure: The Strategy to Freeze Iran’s Economy
2:04 Tracking the Money: Seizing IRGC Assets and Crypto
3:14 The Oil Blockade: Kharg Island at a Standstill
4:10 US Economic Resilience: Why Critics Are Wrong
6:04 IRS Modernization and Signature Tax Policies
7:33 Global Reshoring and the Manufacturing Boom
8:10 Geopolitical Chess: The UAE’s Break from OPEC
10:27 Federal Reserve Friction: Jay Powell vs. Kevin Warsh
I have less than zero sympathy or consideration of credibility for both individuals in the video below. Former Deputy Director Dan Bongino sits down for a dramatic, Q-feeding therapy session with Mr Tick-Tock himself, Sean Hannity.
In a widely discussed interview, the co-dependent enabler – masking himself as the victim of all things deep state, says on one hand there are honorable ‘rank and file’ within the FBI as an institution, and on the other hand he fears they will target him once President Trump leaves office. Go figure.
If you face reality and stop pretending, you then look at the facts with cold pragmatism: ♦The Robert Mueller investigation used 40 FBI agents, issued 2,800 subpoenas, executed 500 search warrants, obtained more than 230 secret orders for communication records, used 50 pen registers and interviewed 500 witnesses, all to prove there was a Trump-Russia conspiracy afoot. All of it was complete nonsense. That is the reality of the thing.
On day #1, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino should have terminated (or suspended pending criminal investigation) any and all of those FBI agents and support personnel with extreme prejudice and then held a press conference to make the announcement.
Delivering mysterious statements about the scale and scope of the institutional problem, pouring fuel on innuendo, proclaiming vague possibilities, while hiding behind some opaque ‘trust me bro‘ reasoning for a currently mysterious inability to explain exactly what the heck he is talking about, is unadulterated dramatic ‘clickbait’ prose intended to feed an audience willing to be deceived. WATCH:
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As you are aware, CTH is watching the small details closely on the U.S-Russia alignment against the backdrop of friction with the European Union, the U.K and NATO on issues surrounding Iran. In the past several days there have been several smaller moments lost amid media chatter of bigger news items, this is one such example today in the Oval Office.
During a press availability with the Artemis II astronauts, President Trump was asked for an update on the Ukraine conflict and seemingly stalled negotiations between U.S. intermediaries and Russia. At 04:12 of the video below, President Trump notes he spoke at length with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin today on issues related to the Ukraine conflict, and {{{thoughtful-pause}}} Iran. WATCH:
President Vladimir Putin is in no hurry to ceasefire in Ukraine, and the U.S. military operation in Iran is not against his interests.
On April 12, 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent quietly extended the sanction relief for Russia, permitting oil/gas sales loaded on vessels by 4/17/26 for transit and sale through 5/16/26. This permits Russia to push oil to Asia, specifically China, India and ASEAN countries where it is needed, while simultaneously the UAE and Saudi Arabia increase oil pumping avoiding the issues with the Strait of Hormuz.
This is happening while the U.S. is providing large oil and LNG supply increases to South/Central America, Europe and Japan to offset any global shortages.
Russia supplies China, India and Southeast Asia; the U.S. supplies Europe and Japan; the UAE supplies India and Australia; while Saudi Arabia supplies Africa and Europe. Global markets stable, Iran then faces operation financial fury led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. {Go Deep}
So, we can reasonably see the general tone of the conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Well, after this press briefing, President Trump sent the following message on Truth Social.
During the press briefing President Trump noted, yet again, his profound disappointment with Europe, the U.K and NATO allies. Trump delivered praise for King Charles as a statesman but separated the political policy aspects of the U.K from his impression of the monarch.
These remarks about drawing down U.S. troop levels in Germany comes against the backdrop of German Chancellor Fredrich Merz being highly critical of President Trump’s intention to incapacitate Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. Chancellor Merz is looking for any distraction he can come up with to avoid the issue of a severely contracting German economy.
Most Americans do not fully appreciate how the German national identity is defined by their industrial economy. The traditional people of Germany have a self-image that is -in large measure- the result of their economic condition. Everything centers around industriousness. Weaken that a little bit and the hardcore German people get visibly angered.
Commissar and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, is also not happy. “In just 60 days of conflict, our bill for fossil fuel imports has increased by over €27 billion, without a single molecule of additional energy,” she told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.” {CITATION}
For all reasonable intents and purposes President Trump has withdrawn support for Ukraine. At the same time President Trump has openly been questioning NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte about the seemingly irrelevant purpose of the alliance.
Now, we might think this is just some transitional matters that have been visited before in various peaks and valleys of the geopolitical relationship. However, that is not the case this time.
How do we know this time it is something far more significant?
Well, the EU is debating dropping their climate goals.
BRUSSELS — Energy companies will be able to break the EU’s pollution limits and get away with it, under measures being considered by the European Commission ahead of a gathering of EU leaders in June.
The EU executive is considering a “zero-penalty” option that would allow national authorities not to fine companies that break strict rules governing methane emissions scheduled to come into force next year, according to two people familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive discussions. (link)
Today, in a very important 6-3 decision at the Supreme Court [Full pdf Ruling Here] the high court ruled in Louisiana -vs Callais that congressional districts drawn by considering race are an unconstitutional gerrymander. Race should not be a consideration in the drawing of district boundaries.
Chief Justice John Roberts had previously described Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District as a “snake” that stretches more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) to link parts of Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge. “That map is an unconstitutional gerrymander,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.
Justice Elena Kagan wrote the dissent for the three leftist, activist justices. “The consequences are likely to be far-reaching and grave. Today’s decision renders Section 2 all but a dead letter,” Kagan wrote, referencing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
(Via Politico) – […] Alito said a revised interpretation of Section 2 was needed in part because of the Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling that the Constitution does not prohibit gerrymandering for partisan purposes. As a result, he suggested, plaintiffs in voting discrimination lawsuits are now often “dressing their political-gerrymandering claims in racial garb.”
“Failing to account for political considerations in redistricting … can allow plaintiffs to undo a State’s legitimate, non-racial decisions under the banner of Section 2,” Alito wrote, appearing to express concern that Democrats could use voting rights lawsuits for partisan purposes rather than to target racial discrimination.
“If race and politics are not disentangled and a Section 2 claim is cynically used as a tool for advancing a partisan end, the VRA’s noble goal will be perverted,” he wrote.
The high court’s decision is the culmination of a long-running battle in Louisiana over Black voters’ representation in Congress. The Supreme Court first heard argument in the case in March 2025, but the justices failed to issue a ruling and made the unusual decision to hear it again this term. (read more)
The leftist/activist justices (Kagan, Sotomayor and the DEI Justice Brown-Jackson), had intentionally been slow-walking their dissent opinion in order to delay the release of the high court ruling released today. The delay tactic was intended to stop ‘Republican’ states from using the majority ruling for redistricting purposes prior to this year’s midterm federal election.
Democrats and Community Activist groups are apoplectic that race is not permitted in the determination of congressional districts. Democrats could stand to lose up to 20 seats in the House of Representatives if race is no longer a factor in making district boundaries. Former President Barack Obama is highly upset at the decision:
President Trump celebrated the elimination of racism in congressional districting.
The Federal Reserve is reported to be historically apolitical, meaning all considerations are absent of politics. However, no individual Federal Reserve Chairman has been more overtly political than Jerome Powell.
Today, after announcing yet again the Fed will not lower interest rates, Chairman Jerome Powell announced he will not leave the board of the federal reserve even after his term has expired and he is replaced by recently advanced Kevin Warsh. Powell said he plans to maintain a “low profile” as a governor, but it will be the first time since 1948 that a Federal Reserve Chairman has stayed on the board at the end of their chairmanship.
The Inspector General is currently reviewing the massive cost overrun for a new multi-billion-dollar Federal Reserve building that has been the heart of controversy since the initial $1 billion overrun was announced. “I’ve said that I will not leave the board until this investigation is well and truly over with transparency and finality, and I stand by that,” Powell said.
Tonight, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom at a White House state dinner. Livestream Links Below.
From the First Lady: “President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will welcome Their Majesties King Charles the III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her Majesty Queen Camilla for a State Dinner this evening, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The First Lady led the preparations for the dinner, which will honor the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as the American people mark 250 years of independence.”
MENU
First Course
Garden Vegetable Velouté
Hearts of PalmToasted Shallots
Micro Mint
The first course offers delicate garden herb velouté, silken and aromatic, complemented by a refreshing hearts of palm salad. Finished with crisp toasted shallots and a whisper of micro mint for brightness and contrast.
Second Course
Spring Herbed Ravioli
Ricotta CheeseMorels
Parmesan Emulsion
The second course is made of a handcrafted spring herb ravioli, featuring herbs from the White House Kitchen Garden, generously filled with creamy ricotta, earthy morels, gently dressed in a light parmesan emulsion, which enhances the essence of the dish.
Third Course
Dover Sole Meunière
Potato PavéSpring Ramps
Snow Peas
Parsley Oil
The third course is made of a classic dover sole meunière, expertly prepared and bathed in a nutty brown butter. The fish is accompanied by tender spring ramps, sweet snow peas, layered potatoes pavé, and a vibrant parsley oil for a refined, seasonal finish.
Dessert
White House Honey & Vanilla Bean Crémeux
Flourless Chocolate GâteauAlmond Joconde
Crème Fraîche Ice Cream For dessert, guests will be served a sweet beehive shaped chocolate gâteau with a smooth vanilla bean crémeux custard, delicately set inside with an almond joconde. The refined, feather-light sponge joconde will provide the dessert a nutty taste, balanced with a brown butter crumble. The beehive will be complimented with crème fraîche ice cream and White House honey.
WINES
The following wines were selected to complement the menu while honoring the shared heritage and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and celebrating the strength of American winemaking today.
ENTERTAINMENT
The evening’s entertainment will feature performances by the United States military musicians from the Marines, Army, and Air Force, including “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, The United States Army Chorus, The United States Army Strings, The United States Army Herald Trumpets, The United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, The United States Air Force Strings.
FLORAL & DÉCOR
The décor for the evening reflects a shared appreciation for gardens. Cherry blossoms greet guests upon entering the Grand Foyer. Inspired by the beauty of English gardens, towering trees and blossoming garden boxes of lilac enhance the splendor of the room. Tables, dressed in green pleated linens, are adorned with seasonal blooms of lilac, butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley, underscoring the beauty of spring. Lush garden greens are complemented by accents of gold and white. The tables are set with more than 250 pieces of vermeil from the White House collection, alongside hand-crafted ceramics by distinguished American artisans, including Ben Wolff. The Clinton Anniversary Service is presented alongside hand-painted menus, with courses served on both the Clinton and Bush china services. Rooted in traditions cherished on both sides of the Atlantic, these details reflect the long and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom. (source)
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• The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump and Mrs. Melania Trump
• His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her Majesty Queen Camilla
• The Right Honourable Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to Their Majesties
• Justice Samuel Alito of the Supreme Court of the United States and Mrs. Martha-Ann Alito
• Mr. Tobyn Andreae, Director of Communications of the Royal Household
• Mr. Marc Andreessen and Ms. Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen
• Mr. Bret Baier and Mrs. Amy Baier
• The Honorable John Barrasso, United States Senator from Wyoming
• Ms. Maria Bartiromo and Mr. Jonathan Steinberg
• Mr. Marc Benioff and Mrs. Lynne Benioff
• The Honorable Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury and Mr. John Freeman
• Mr. Jeff Bezos and Mrs. Lauren Bezos
• The Honorable James Blair and Mrs. Samantha Blair
• Ms. Senay Bulbul, Minister Counsellor, British Embassy Washington
• The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior and Mrs. Kathryn Burgum
• General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Mr. Varun Chandra, Prime Minister’s Chief Business, Investment and Trade Adviser
• Justice Amy Coney Barrett of the Supreme Court of the United States and Mr. Jesse Barrett
• Mr. Tim Cook
• The Right Honourable Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs
• The Honorable Steve Daines, United States Senator from Montana
• Ms. Sophie Densham, Private Secretary to Her Majesty the Queen
• The Honorable Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation and Ms. Rachel Campos-Duffy
• Ms. Ainsley Earhardt
• Mr. David Ellison
• Mr. Pepe Fanjul and Mrs. Emilia Fanjul
• The Honorable Ed Forst, Administrator of the General Services Administration
• Justice Neil Gorsuch of the Supreme Court of the United States and Mrs. Marie Louise Gorsuch
• The Honorable Lindsey Graham, United States Senator from South Carolina
• The Honorable Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative and Mrs. Marlo Greer
• Mr. Greg Gutfeld and Ms. Elena Mussa
• The Honorable Beau Harrison and The Honorable Hayley Harrison
• The Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War and Mrs. Jennifer Hegseth
• Mr. Jensen Huang and Mrs. Lori Huang
• Ms. Caroline Hurndall, Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary
• Ms. Laura Ingraham
• Mr. Otis Irwin
• The Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mrs. Kelly Johnson
• Ms. Tham Kannalikham
• Justice Brett Kavanaugh of the Supreme Court of the United States and Mrs. Ashley Kavanaugh
• Mr. Howard Kessler and Mrs. Michele Kessler
• Mr. Viktor Knavs
• Mr. Robert Kraft and Dr. Dana Kraft
• Mr. Harry Lopes
• Mr. Juan Luciano
• The Honorable Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce and Mrs. Allison Lutnick
• Mr. Rory McIlroy and Mrs. Erica McIlroy
• The Honorable Stephen Miller and Mrs. Katie Miller
• Mr. Brendan Nelson
• Ms. Meg O’Neill
• Mr. John Paulson and Ms. Alina de Almeida
• Mr. Isaac Perlmutter and Mrs. Laura Perlmutter
• Mr. Hervé Pierre
• Mr. Keith Poole
• Ms. Ruth Porat
• The Honorable Dina Powell McCormick and The Honorable Dave McCormick, United States Senator from Pennsylvania
• Mr. Anthony Pratt and Ms. Claudine Revere
• Mr. Adam Riddle
• The Honorable Jim Risch, United States Senator from Idaho and Mrs. Vicki Risch
• Mr. Don Robert
• Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court of the United States and Mrs. Jane Roberts
• The Honorable John F.W. Rogers
• Mr. James Roscoe, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Washington
• The Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State and Mrs. Jeanette Rubio
• Mr. Christopher Ruddy
• Mr. Theo Rycroft, Deputy Private Secretary to His Majesty the King
• The Honorable Dan Scavino and Mrs. Erin Scavino
• Mr. Steve Schwarzman and Mrs. Christine Schwarzman
• Mrs. Suzanne Scott
• Mr. Brian Sikes
• The Honorable Warren Stephens, American Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Mrs. Harriet Stephens
• Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court of the United States and Mrs. Virginia Thomas
• Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, Senior Equerry to His Majesty the King
• The Honorable John Thune, United States Senator from South Dakota and Mrs. Kimberley Thune
• Mr. Eric Trump and Mrs. Lara Trump
• The Honorable Ivanka Trump and The Honorable Jared Kushner
• Ms. Tiffany Trump and Mr. Michael Boulos
• Sir Christian Turner, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America, and Lady Claire Turner
• The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance and Mrs. Usha Vance
• Mr. C.S. Venkatakrishnan
• Mr. Jesse Watters and Mrs. Emma Watters
• The Honorable Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East and Ms. Lauren Olaya
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President Trump and the First Lady Participate in a Family Photo with the King and Queen of the United Kingdom. The short formal moment precedes the State Dinner this evening. WATCH:
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I have created this site to help people have fun in the kitchen. I write about enjoying life both in and out of my kitchen. Life is short! Make the most of it and enjoy!
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