Beltway Insider: Trump/AI Christ Image, Pope Leo, Legislative Meltdown, Swalwell, Gonzales, VA Dem, Camp Mystic

Details: Category: Haute This Issue; Published on Saturday, 18 April 2026 16:39; Written by Janet Walker

President Trump, this week, released an AI generated image of himself, depicting him as Jesus Christ, using imagery often associated with Christian theology, and healing the sick, and wounded, creating a backlash of criticism across the nation.

The President's job approval rating, according to the CBS News poll featured in The New York Times for the period ending April 18, 2026, of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President decreased by four percentage points to 31% and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as president decreased by four percentage point to 61%. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated weekly.

The CBS News poll covers a range of issues from the US-Iran conflict, the president's recent statements of annihilation of the "civilization," to "Does the president have a clear plan?" An overwhelming number of Americans, 66%, believe Trump has yet to explain the U.S. goals in Iran.

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Trump Releases AI Image Spawns Backlash

President Trump, this week, who thrives of social media, and often uses his platform Truth Social to announce his policy decisions, warn foreign leaders of his impending actions, and spread his dogma message to the people of the world who are entranced by him.

This week, however, the president went too far, in releasing an image, where he donned white robe and red sash, traditional garments associated with the images of Christ as depicted in Christian theology, arriving in a golden sky, with his hands upon a weakened member of society, as others, gathered around looking at him in reverence with hands folded in a traditional prayer position.

Obviously the president understood his miscalculation, as he removed the image, but not before the damage was done. The majority of Americans who saw the picture believe that Trump has gone too far, and to incite the population or himself, one does not know, he further decided to engage in a verbal sparring match with American born Pope Leo, who leads the largest religious denomination in the world, with an approximate 1.5 billion followers worldwide.

"Leo had been pointedly critical of the war in Iran, and the president responded with fury on social media, calling him "WEAK on Crime and terrible on foreign policy." As Damian Thompson noted in the Spectator, with appropriate wonder, "not once in the 250-year history of the United States has a Commander-in-Chief launched a personal attack on the Supreme Pontiff," Wall Street Journal Opinion Columnist Peggy Noonan wrote.

Religion has suddenly taken center stage in this White House, one can assume as a counter offensive to the Epstein Files, and other tawdry dealings, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has his own revised bible, explained Ezekiel 25:17, unfortunately the secretary quoted the expanded and non-biblical version recited in the Quinten Tarantino film "Pulp Fiction."

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And of course, Vice-President Vance who has, arrogantly, decided it is his place to lecture the Pope on theology.

"Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV should "be careful" when he talks about theology, rebuking the pontiff over his criticisms of U.S. foreign policy. Vance argued that the pope, who has said Jesus "is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs," was failing to take into account conflicts such as World War II," NBCnews.com reported.

Trump appears to be sabotaging his own party, as there is no momentum for a 2028 Republican victory, for those aligned with him. If he always plays the long game then he expects the midterms to swing democrat, and a 2028 democratic victory, which sets the GOP for a 2032 resurgence of the GOP MAGA strong rhetoric.

The image is mockery, as are the misused biblical quotes, a tactic used by another well-known biblical figure, in the successful attempt to deceive Eve in the Garden of Eden. God cannot be mocked and the image is mockery, as it is the intent of a man's heart to deceive even the elect if possible, to shake everything that can be shaken.

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Legislative Meltdown

It has not been a good week for elected officials as daily, it seems another Congressman is facing accusations of rape, or sexual assault. The melt down in the legislature, can be attributed to the ethics failure, across the board, and in the commander in chief, who vacillates between depictions of Christ and unconcealed and unashamed misogyny.

The highest office in the land, should be held by a person of honor, and even as no one is perfect, the imperfections should be few and not outweigh or be a glaring reminder of the discriminatory, objectification, and criminal treatment many women endure.

The latest effort by congress calls for more than simply lengthy hearings, limited censure, and back to business as usual. The call now, before congressional members, is for change, and an abandonment of the tolerance of the frat house Friday night boys club and a return to decorum, of holding elected officials to a higher standard, one which will reflect upon the constituency they serve.

"Congress faced similar calls early in the #MeToo movement largely ignited by allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. As the world underwent a widespread reckoning over the sexual abuse and harassment women face, people on Capitol Hill came forward with their own stories about a culture that left staffers, particularly young women, vulnerable. Nine lawmakers lost their jobs in six months over allegations of sexual impropriety or related workplace misconduct," The Washington Post reported.

Congressman Swalwell Accused of Second Rape

Representative Eric Swalwell, (D-CA), who only one week ago was heavily favored in the California Governor's race to secede outgoing governor Gavin Newsom, has dropped out of the governors race, and is expected to resign from congress, this week, rather than face an expulsion vote, over allegations he drugged and raped several women.

"His decision to end his bid came days after reports from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle alleged that Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct with a handful of women, including a former staffer who said Swalwell raped her. The CNN report included text messages that the staffer sent to her friends soon after the alleged 2024 incident in which she wrote that Swalwell assaulted her. Swalwell has called these accusations "absolutely false,"' CalMatters.org reported.

Texas Congressman Agrees to Resign

Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX) also filed his retirement papers, ending his tenure in the House of Representatives rather than face expulsion by the House Ethics Committee, over his responsibility in the death of a former staffer who committed suicide, by self-immolation [setting herself on fire] after the congressman ended the extra-marital relationship.

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Two Florida Legislators Face Expulsion

Two additional legislators, House of Representatives members Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Florida) and Cory Mills (R-Florida), have both been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, Cherfilus-McCormick for misuse of pandemic funds, and Mills, for sexual assault, campaign finance violations, and financial misconduct.

The House Ethic Committee has already found Cherfilus-McCormick was in violation, and now the committee will determine her punishment.

Virginia Democrat Murders Wife

Ex-Virginia Lieutenant Governor Democrat Justin Fairfax, 47, shot and killed his wife, Cerina, in their Northern Virginia home, and then turned the gun on himself, police alleged.

The former rising star of Virginia politics, in 2019, Virginia Governor Northam, was embroiled in a career impacting scandal, and when it seemed clear he would resign, Fairfax meet with the media to announce his accession to the governor's mansion.

Within days, circumstances changed, Northam remained in office and suddenly past sexual assault allegations were lobbied against Fairfax. This political maneuver, which many have been premature, marked the turning point in Fairfax's career, and for all intents and purposes derailed his political future. He fought vehemently against them but was unable to shake the stigma. The stain of the allegation resulted in a derailment of his personal life as well.

His wife, a successful dentist in her own right, sought a divorce. The two remained in the same home, along with their two children. Divorce proceedings indicated Mr. Fairfax was drinking daily and heavily, misusing monies set aside for their children to fuel his drinking addiction. Days before the shooting he had been ordered to leave the residence.

Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax were in the basement arguing, when he shot and killed her. He left her body and killed himself in the upstairs bedroom. His son, who was home at the time, telephoned 911.

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UCLA Gyn Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Patients

Former UCLA OB-GYN Physician James Heaps, 69, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender for life after he pleaded guilty today to sexually assaulting five female patients from 2011-2018. Heaps pleaded at a pretrial hearing.

"Today marks the second time that we're holding James Heaps responsible for the unconscionable crimes he committed while being entrusted with the safety of his patients," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "For years, Heaps exploited the sacred trust between a doctor and patient to prey on vulnerable victims during medical procedures. This sentence ensures that Heaps will finally be held accountable for the harm he inflicted under the guise of care. To the survivors: I hope today brings you closure knowing that the individual who violated your trust has been definitively brought to justice. To all survivors, please know that we believe you and we will fight for you," The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office reported.

Heaps pleaded guilty to thirteen counts including: six felony counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person, five felony counts of sexual battery by fraud, and two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a patient.

The Culture of Silence

Obviously the culture of silence rules those within the "special privileges" group of predators. Those who understand Special Privileges law, the unwritten, but often used quid pro quo treatment provided to shield elite predators, such as Jeffrey Epstein, and those within his files, including the President of the United States, and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the former Duke of York, as well as many others outside of his special group.

Entertainment rapists Harvey Weinstein, still in prison and challenging his New York rape conviction; Bill Cosby, who is alleged to have raped more than 100 women, was arrested and convicted and has since been released, after his conviction was overturned on a technicality. He has since be ordered to compensate victims in civil litigation and most recently was ordered to pay $59MM in damages.

And Farmworker Activist Cesar Chavez, a predator who operated in silence for years, and the politicians, Gonzales, Swalwell, and their friends who kept the behavior sealed. And of course, the long and growing list of medical professionals, lawyer rapists, and religious rapists and pedophiles, who know the law well enough to find a loophole or shield and understand how to squeeze the victim until most commit suicide, and if they are finally exposed then the old boys network of quid pro quo will rescue them from prosecution.

It is time for the wall of silence to be destroyed.

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Coronavirus Total

At the order of the President of the United States, the U.S. no longer recognizes the value of The World Health Organization. The CDC has recommended every person from age six months, including senior citizens should receive at least one shot of an updated COVID-19 vaccine, annually. The death toll from Covid-19 has dramatically decreased, as has transmission of the virus. Even as confirmed new cases continue each week, fewer are dying from each new variants.

For the 7 days ending April 18, 2026, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases reported by the World Health Organization increased by 29,879 to 779,207,696. The total worldwide death toll increased by 621 to 7,114,028 deaths. The United States has stopped providing Covid data to the World Health Organization. (Data updated March 29, 2026, from the World Health Organization).

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Camp Mystic Debate Over Reopening Strikes at the Heart

Camp Mystic, the all-girls, Christian camp, where 25 campers and two counselors died in a devasting July 4, 2025 flood, have been denied the right to remove evidence or alter structures on the camps grounds, as country Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble left in place the injunction denying the camp operators the opportunity to erase evidence.

As debate rages on blame, the Eastland Family, owners of the camp, have yet to accept any blame or fault for the gross failures in protecting the campers and counselors, ensuring evacuations in a timely manner, monitoring weather reports, and risking overreactions as the Guadalupe River had a high propensity to flood risk.

"You can blame it on Mother Nature or God Almighty, but if anyone had used the speakers or walkie talkie and told them to leave before 3 (am), they would've survived," said Brad Beckworth, an attorney for the family of Cile Steward, 8, the only camper whose body still has not been recovered," The Texas Tribune reported.

Previous testimony indicated the members of the Eastland family moved to secure the camp's horses and other equipment, before turning their concern to the youngest campers, housed in river front cabins, who never had a chance without early evacuation. Edward Eastland testified that he was awakened around 1:30 a.m. on July 4th by his father, Richard "Dick" Eastland, 70, (who died in the flood), via radio, prompting him to go to the camp office to help move waterfront equipment and canoes.

The detailed letter sent to Texas Department of State Health Services included painful and heart wrenching accounts from many of the parents as they continue to seek accountability and justice for the gross negligence that resulted in the deaths of their daughters including the failure of the camp to report the deaths, the trauma of identification, and mentally reliving the horror of those last moments as the distress is overwhelming.

As the public has also petitioned the state to reconsider allowing the camp to open, please do not allow Mystic Camp to reopen until the pending litigation is resolved and until state approved evacuation plans, including those for catastrophic and unforeseen scenarios are in place.

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For more information on President Donald Trump: Whitehouse.gov.

Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade. A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five award-winning screenplays "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She has also published "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," a non-fiction narrative, "Days, Times, Seasons, and Events: A Collection of Poetry & Prose," and "Songs of Freedom: A Collection of Biblical Teachings," which can be purchased here. She is a member of the Authors Guild, the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a member of the International Federation of Journalists.