On April 16, 2026, President Trump traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada to deliver remarks on Tax Week. Las Vegas, as a 'service economy' survives on tips. When the government started taxing tips, there was much flack; however, the tax remained although loosely enforced. Forbes, in a September 30, 2024 article by Joseph Thorndike, reminds us that until 1982, there were no taxes on tips. On November 13, 1981, HR4961 - Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, introduced by Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA-9) (of course, it was a Democrat!). The bill had 12 co-sponsors (4 Republicans and 8 Democrats). The bill was passed by both the House and Senate, and became PL 97-248 on September 3, 1982. Restaurant owners were now required to report tips. However, if the total tips did not add up to 8%, the deficiency was spread among tipped employees and reported to the IRS as if the person actually received the tip. By 1983, the tip earners deluged the IRS with angry letters claiming tips were tax-free gifts. The law was underenforced by the IRS (I suspect they did not want to deal with the backlash by the people). Ron Paul, in 2012, was first to propose no tax on tips when he ran for the Republican presidential nomination. President Trump explained that the idea for No Tax On Tips started when he was in Las Vegas and a young waitress suggested there should be no tax on tips. He thought it was a great idea and immediately told propaganda media the decision to push for No Tax On Tips. He explained:
Las Vegas is the home of the largest concentration of tipped workers anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world, actually. And thanks to our tax cuts this week, thousands of Nevada waiters, waitresses, casino dealers, bartenders, bellmen, barbers, caddies, I love those caddies. They're very good if you have the right cat. And valet receive the biggest tax refunds of their entire lives. And you see it. And I just want to say you're welcome.
He then spoke about the OBBB (an index to all the articles I wrote about every part of the OBBB is available in my August 2, 2025 ANP Article) saying it should be called the Great Big Beautiful Tax Cut Bill because the tax cuts are 'so enormous' even though the bill contains a lot of other regulations. He reminded the audience that we now have no men in women's sports, a safe border, safe communities, and lowest murder rate in 125 years. President Trump stated:
Every single American at every income level is more money in their pockets this week because of the Republican tax policies and we got to win the midterms if we don't these policies are going to be taken away from you the taxes are going to go through the roof. . . . You deserve every single penny that you're getting now because you had to suffer. You suffered. We had the highest inflation in the history of our country under Biden.
President Trump then reminded the audience that there are also no taxes on social security income for seniors as well as no tax on overtime and you can deduct the interest paid on car loans for American-made cars bought in 2025. He spoke about having no inheritance tax or death tax for farmers and their heirs. He mentioned the DoorDash delivery by Sharon Simmons (discussed in my April 14, 2026 ANP Article). He said that (and other publicity ideas like the garbage truck) was a little tacky but we do these things in politics and they're a little embarrassing but they do them anyway and win by landslides. President Trump brought up tariffs and how they are causing massive investments in manufacturing in the US. Pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and other industries are now basing manufacturing operations in the US because of tariffs. He also mentioned the DOW coming in at over $50,000 and attributed that achievement to his policies, especially tariffs. He mentioned investments in the US by UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
President Trump mentioned our having the most powerful military anywhere in the world and we're still building it. He reiterated that Iran is now allowed to have nuclear weapons. He mentioned how empty tankers are now coming to the US instead of Iran to buy crude. We spent 17 years in Vietnam, 5 years in Afghanistan, and so far, only 2 months in Iran. He explained that the conflict in Iran is causing the fake inflation of fuel prices. He spoke about how Democrats don't want to pay our ICE agents, our security people, and want an open border. He said that Democrats want higher taxes on both individuals and businesses. They want even more inflation. He mentioned that we are getting the illegals out (autopen allowed more than 25 million people into the country totally unvetted and unchecked). He spoke about school choice and making homeschooling expenditures tax deductible, the 5 million Trump Accounts that have been opened in 2025 (thanking the Dell Family for matching contributions to those accounts). He spoke about bringing made in America back.
Promises made, promises kept. And more to come between now and 2029.
On April 16, 2026, Day 61 of the Democrat's Partial Federal Government Shutdown, Congress did not fund DHS nor did they fully reopen the Federal government. So what did they do instead?
This joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917, which withdrew approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota, from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years. In 2023, the Bureau of Land Management issued the order to protect and preserve the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from the potential adverse effects of mineral and geothermal exploration and development. The joint resolution removes such protections and allows such land to be leased for the exploration and development of minerals and geothermal energy.
PN787-1 — Andrew B. Davis — The Judiciary in which Judge Davis was nominated on January 29, 2026 for US District Judge for the Western District of Texas. The Senate agreed to the Cloture motion, in a vote of 49 (all Republican) to 48 (45 Democrats, 1 Republican, 2 Independents) with 3 Republicans not voting, to end debate and proceed to a formal vote (which was not yet taken).
The House, on the other hand, discussed then voted on the following bills (notice NONE of them reopen the Federal government or fund DHS):
HCR40 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. Failed
HR965 Providing for consideration of the bill (HR1689) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. Passed
HR1156 Expressing support for tax policies that support working families. Passed
HR1689 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. Passed
HR1175 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8035) to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through October 20, 2027, and for other purposes as amended. Amendment passed 211 to 210 with 10 Representatives not voting (7 Republicans and 3 Democrats). However, once the amendment passed, the actual bill failed 200 to 220 (with 12 Republicans joining Democrats to sink the bill). After brief discussion, the House voted again, this time the vote failed 197 to 228 (with 20 Republicans joining Democrats to sink the bill). Then the House adjourned until noon on April 20, 2026 (they are giving themselves a 3-day weekend).
We are no closer now to re-opening the Federal government fully than we were on the first day of the standoff. It's like our Congressional representatives don't care that they are putting our National Security at risk.
On April 10, 2026, President Trump announced the creation of a Triumphal Arch in DC to honor the 250th anniversary of the founding of our Nation.
Eric Daugherty predicted that "liberals are going to lose it" over this arch. He is absolutely correct. Liberals go nuts over everything President Trump does and I predict that this action will be no exception. Expect many lawsuits about it.
In a White House Press Conference, Karoline Leavitt provided more details for the Arch. It will be 250 feet tall (including the statue of the winged Lady Liberty) and be placed on Columbia Island in what is currently "green space" between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. She quotes:
Great Nations build beautiful structures that cultivate National pride and love of country. . . . It is a monument for every American to celebrate 250 years of our Nation's proud history.
On April 16, 2026, the Commission of Fine Arts gave its approval for the design of the structure.
Those are some of the exact words used by Google’s censors, aka 'Orwellian content police,' in describing many of our controversial stories. Stories later proven to be truthful and light years ahead of the mainstream media. But because we reported those 'inconvenient truths' they're trying to bankrupt ANP.
