America This Week: What’s Been Going On (April 14 – 20, 2025)

Reading Time: 14 Minutes

| By Scribe | April 21, 2025 |

It’s been yet another wild week in America.

President Trump spends Easter weekend writing faith posts and roasting leftists.

Nvidia is investing more in the United States with eyes on Arizona.

Allies are eager to make a deal with the U.S.

The latest leftist hero is probably a wife-beating, human trafficking, MS-13 gang member.

A man in blue lipstick is behind firebombing and other dangerous attacks in New Mexico.

Trump and Zelenskyy may reach a new minerals deal soon.

The President’s high approval numbers trump negative media coverage.

The media highlights tariff fear while burying high job numbers.

NBC’s “Law and Order” portrays law enforcement as bad guys and illegals as good guys.

Leftist CBS claims ancient child sacrifice rituals were “non-violent.”

Christian movies crush it in theaters during Easter week.

President Trump’s Easter Weekend: Hanging With Vince Vaughn, Praising Jesus, and Roasting Democrats

Actor Vince Vaughn joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Good Friday after attending a prayer service at the U.S. Capitol with his family. Known for films like “Wedding Crashers” and “Dodgeball”, Vaughn posed with Trump in a photo playfully captioned “White House Crashers.” Vaughn was also praised by Rev. Patrick Mahoney for his warmth and support during the Good Friday event.

President Donald Trump posted a reverent Easter message on Truth Social, wishing Americans peace and joy as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His use of the phrase “He is risen!”—a present-tense expression deeply rooted in Christian belief—stood out, particularly given Trump’s past reputation as not especially religious.

Those close to Trump say his relationship with faith has deepened in recent years, especially after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, on July 13.

He has spoken publicly about how the experience strengthened his belief in God, referencing it during the National Prayer Breakfast and a March joint session of Congress. “I believe that my life was saved that day in Butler for a very good reason,” Trump said. “I was saved by God to make America great again.”

In a separate Easter post on Truth Social, President Trump roasted the “Radical Left Lunatics” Democrats—including Senator Chris Van Hollen—for trying to bring violent criminals back into the U.S. President Trump also torched woke judges and Joe Biden, calling the former president’s immigration policies the most disastrous in American history.

Strong Diplomacy: Trump’s Tariffs Gaining Concessions from Nvidia

Nvidia is investing $500 billion to build AI chips and supercomputers in the U.S., marking its first domestic production of advanced AI technology. Facilities are underway in Arizona and Texas, with partnerships involving TSMC, Foxconn, and Wistron. The project is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and strengthen America’s role in the global AI race.

CEO Jensen Huang emphasized that U.S. manufacturing will improve supply chain resilience and meet the rising global demand for AI infrastructure. Nvidia is also working with Amkor and SPIL to handle advanced packaging and testing in Arizona, aiming to produce half a trillion dollars in AI infrastructure over the next four years.

At the same time, Huang visited China to signal Nvidia’s efforts to maintain its presence in the Chinese market amid U.S. export restrictions. With $5.5 billion in projected losses from tightened chip controls, Nvidia is navigating growing geopolitical risks and facing increased competition from Chinese tech giants like Huawei.

Allies Lining Up to Make Deals with Trump’s America

President Trump’s administration is making rapid progress on trade negotiations after announcing a 90-day global tariff pause. Over 75 countries have shown interest in negotiations, with 15 already in active talks.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett described the progress as “astonishing,” revealing that more than 10 strong offers are under review. The trade team is weighing whether to unveil these deals individually or as a package, with several nearly finalized before the Reciprocal Trade Act was even introduced.

The U.K. has suspended tariffs on 89 U.S. products for two years to relieve pressure on its businesses. While this move is seen as a goodwill gesture, Trump has maintained tough tariffs on the U.K. and other nations, advocating for “reciprocal tariffs” to rebalance trade.

Japan is also entering high-stakes talks with the U.S., with leaders on both sides hopeful for a comprehensive deal. Key issues include tariffs, currency rates, military cost-sharing, and energy partnerships. Tokyo is open to increasing American imports to reduce trade imbalances, which would align with Trump’s goals of boosting U.S. exports and fairness in global commerce.

Trump also confirmed a “100%” chance of striking a trade deal with the European Union, reaffirming his push for fairness and mutual benefit during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit. With trade talks unfolding globally—including top-priority negotiations with South Korea, Australia, Vietnam, and India—Trump is leveraging the tariff pause to pursue what he frames as a historic reset in international trade.

In response, Chinese Dictator Xi Jinping made a visit to Vietnam to ensure the smaller communist country falls in line—a move that drew criticism and mockery from President Trump.

During a White House meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Trump sarcastically criticized the meeting between Xi and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam, suggesting the two were conspiring to “screw” the U.S.

Referring to them as “repressive communist dictatorships,” Trump signalled a possible rift between the two, noting Vietnam’s relatively restrained response to U.S. tariffs, while China has escalated tensions by increasing tariffs and restricting exports of rare earth minerals.

Democrats’ Triple-Down of the “Maryland Man” Narrative for Suspected MS-13 Member Ends in Hilarity and Humiliation

The Democrats’ and media’s portrayal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—accused MS-13 member, domestic abuser, and human trafficker—as a “Maryland father with protected status” may be unraveling.

Earlier this week, in an Oval Office back-and-forth, President Trump and top officials roasted CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins for suggesting the U.S. should retrieve Garcia from El Salvador. Attorney General Pam Bondi cited two immigration court rulings confirming Garcia’s gang ties, while adviser Stephen Miller emphasized that U.S. law prohibits immigration relief for known terrorist affiliates.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele also pushed back against Collins. Bukele mocked the notion that he should smuggle a terrorist back into the U.S.

Both Miller and Trump stressed that the Supreme Court had overruled a lower court’s directive to return Garcia, reaffirming that the president cannot be forced to repatriate a foreign national. ICE maintains that Garcia is a confirmed MS-13 member, citing credible informant testimony and a 2019 immigration judge’s ruling, which led to his initial detention and denied asylum request.

The White House included a 2021 domestic abuse protection order against him by his wife as further evidence of his violent history. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted Democrats for ignoring these allegations while advocating for Garcia’s return.

Several Democrats, including Senator Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Maxwell Frost and Robert Garcia, are arguing that his deportation was unlawful and that he faces persecution in El Salvador. Conveniently, the Democrats failed to note that the potential “persecution” of which they speak is actually violent reprisal from rival gangs who have bad blood with MS-13.

El Salvador initially blocked Van Hollen’s attempt to visit Garcia in prison, citing the need for prior arrangements. Van Hollen eventually met with Garcia, with a photo surfacing showing the two with margarita-like drinks on the table, sparking backlash.

Salvadoran President Bukele mocked the meeting, joking about Garcia “sipping margaritas” in paradise. Van Hollen claimed he didn’t drink “any margaritas or sugar water or whatever it is,” though his office had released some of the photos. President Trump added to the ridicule, calling Van Hollen a “fool”, before posting a photo online of Garcia’s tattooed knuckles, featuring symbols stylized to convey the message “MS-13”.

Trump declared, “I was elected to take bad people out of the United States,” then called out Democrats for defending Garcia as “a fine and innocent person.” In response to the backlash, Van Hollen changed course, arguing that he was not defending Garcia’s character but his right to due process.

Despite the evidence, such as Garcia’s MS-13 tattoos, a protective order from his wife, and documents connecting him to human trafficking, Van Hollen referenced a judge who claimed that no links exist between Garcia and MS-13 or terrorism. Van Hollen’s deflection included claims that the Trump administration was smearing Garcia online rather than making their case in court. “Put up or shut up in court,” he barked.

Blue Lipsticked New Mexico Man Arrested for Firebombing and Attacking Tesla Dealership and Republican Party HQ

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrest of 40-year-old Jamison Wagner in connection with the February firebombing of a New Mexico Tesla dealership and a subsequent attack on the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters. Wagner, linked to both incidents through surveillance footage and physical evidence, faces federal charges, with prosecutors seeking up to 40 years in prison.

Bondi emphasized that the case is part of a broader effort to combat political violence, stating that those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The FBI, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, led the investigation, with FBI Director Kash Patel praising the efforts of the agents involved.

Wagner’s role in the attacks is part of a larger pattern of political violence targeting Tesla facilities across the country. Bondi vowed continued action to hold perpetrators accountable for such acts of domestic terrorism. Wagner also wears blue lipstick and is a member of “500 Queer Scientists,” whatever that is.

U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal On the Way

President Trump announced that an 80-page minerals deal with Ukraine will be signed next Thursday, though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the date could be April 26.

Reports suggest the U.S. will secure rare earth mineral rights in exchange for continued military aid, with repayment demands reportedly reduced from $300 billion to $100 billion.

Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed progress and indicated a memorandum of understanding could be signed imminently, with officials like Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and Bessent expected to formalize the agreement.

President’s Strong Approval Numbers Trump Negative Media Coverage

President Trump’s job approval has climbed to 54 percent—his highest since taking office—despite constant negative media coverage on his tariffs and deportation operations. The boost, reflected in a DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll of 1,002 registered voters, shows strong support across age groups including Hispanics and independents.

Analysts suggest voters are rewarding Trump’s decisiveness and leadership, disregarding negative media coverage and favoring the direction he’s taking the country.

Media Downplays Job Numbers While Magnifying Fear, Doom, and Gloom

A NewsBusters analysis revealed that mainstream media outlets—ABC, CBS, and NBC—devoted 62 times more coverage to President Trump’s tariff announcement and the market’s reaction than to strong job numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In March, U.S. employers added 228,000 jobs, far surpassing the projected 140,000, with private sector hiring also exceeding expectations. Despite this economic success, major networks focused heavily on the initial market selloff following Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement, largely burying the positive employment data.

Between April 2 and April 11, broadcast networks spent over 422 minutes covering tariffs, with ABC alone accounting for nearly 149 minutes. By contrast, the same outlets gave only 45 seconds to the jobs report on April 4. Similarly, they provided ten times more coverage to tariffs than to reports of declining consumer prices, such as a dip in the CPI.

This massive disparity reflects a media bias that prioritizes negative narratives around Trump’s policies while downplaying favorable economic developments.

“Law & Order” Writers Slander Law Enforcement

NBC’s “Law & Order” faced backlash for its latest episode, which critics say distorts real-world crime by portraying illegal aliens as victims and police officers as perpetrators.

The episode, titled “Play with Fire (Part 1),” opens with a narrative of migrant women being targeted, only to reveal that the true criminal is not an illegal immigrant but a police lieutenant who used his position to rape and murder.

The plot subverts ongoing coverage about crimes linked to illegal aliens and instead frames law enforcement as the true threat. Viewers argue that the show, known for its “ripped from the headlines” premise, has abandoned reality in favor of a politically driven, radical leftist agenda.

While news reports offer abundant evidence of crimes committed by illegal aliens, “Law & Order” chose to flip the script, portraying aliens as falsely accused and vulnerable, and police as predators. Critics say this narrative not only misrepresents current events but also undermines public trust in law enforcement amid a broader wave of politicized media storytelling.

CBS Tries to Justify Ancient Child Sacrifice as Mostly Peaceful

CBS News reported on the discovery of a Teotihuacan altar in Guatemala’s Tikal National Park, where archaeologists found remains of sacrificed children—confirming that both the Teotihuacan and Mayan civilizations practiced ritual child sacrifice. One expert described the sacrifices as a cultural means of connecting with celestial bodies, claiming they were “not violent,” sparking backlash.

The report illustrates how CBS and the broader media are downplaying objectively violent and horrific practices. Child sacrifice, regardless of intention or cultural context, is still a violent act. This raises the question of why only Western civilization is harshly judged for historical wrongs, while atrocities from other cultures are excused or reinterpreted.

It’s another example of leftist media hypocrisy: drawing parallels to modern double standards in how different cultures are treated—such as attitudes toward gender roles, slavery, and historical violence—uniquely demonizing Western actions while excusing or romanticizing others.

Faith Films Shine in Theaters During Easter Week

Christian films pulled strong numbers at the box office over Easter week, with faith-based movies capturing significant viewership. The animated feature “The King of Kings” took the No. 2 spot, earning $19.3 million, marking the largest opening weekend for a biblical animated film, surpassing the classic “The Prince of Egypt”.

Produced by the same studio behind “Sound of Freedom”, “The King of Kings” follows Charles Dickens teaching his son about Jesus Christ, and features a star-studded voice cast including Oscar Isaac, Mark Hamill, and Pierce Brosnan.

In addition to “The King of Kings”, four of the top ten films over the weekend were faith-based, including the theatrical release of “The Chosen: Last Supper”, a special three-part installment of the popular Christian TV series.

The success of “The King of Kings” has been praised by political commentators like Benny Johnson, who attributed its performance to the growing demand for faith-based, non-“woke” entertainment.

Catch up on what happened over the last couple weeks:

America This Week: What’s Been Going On (March 31 – April 6, 2025)

America This Week: What’s Been Going On (April 14 – 20, 2025)