{"id":68999,"date":"2026-04-16T06:11:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T06:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/68999\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T06:11:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T06:11:45","slug":"xi-jinping-criticizes-donald-trumps-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-straining-us-china-relations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/68999\/","title":{"rendered":"Xi Jinping criticizes Donald Trump&#8217;s Strait of Hormuz blockade, straining US-China relations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Morning Report is The Hill\u2019s a.m. newsletter.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thehill.com\/signup\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Subscribe here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In today\u2019s issue:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>China\u00a0weighs in on Iran war<\/p>\n<p>Gallego distances from Swalwell<\/p>\n<p>New House Republican sworn in<\/p>\n<p>#MeToo returns to Congress<\/p>\n<p>China is breaking from its mostly quiet stance on the Iran war amid the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, placing a strain on relations just weeks ahead of a planned meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.<\/p>\n<p>Xi railed against the breaking of the international rule of law Tuesday during a reception in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, an outspoken critic of the war himself, saying their two countries should work together to \u201coppose the world\u2019s retrogression to the law of the jungle.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMaintaining the authority of international rule of law means not using it when it suits us and <a>abandoning<\/a> it when it doesn\u2019t,\u201d Xi said during a meeting with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, also on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The comments are the most direct that the Chinese leader has offered about the U.S.-Iran war since it began at the end of February. China is a major importer of Iranian oil, which the U.S. is seeking to cut off with the blockade that began on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Even before the blockade, Beijing appeared to be getting more involved militarily. China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran in the next few weeks, CNN <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/04\/11\/politics\/us-intelligence-iran-china-weapons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">reported Saturday<\/a>, citing U.S. intelligence. Beijing denied the report. That follows Iran reaching out to China and Russia for <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/5789941-iran-russia-china-intelligence-sharing\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">intelligence support<\/a> during the war.<\/p>\n<p>On the diplomatic front, Beijing has played a key behind-the-scenes role in trying to help reach a settlement in the conflict, calling for an end to hostilities on both sides.<\/p>\n<p>Trump credited China with helping to establish the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran and getting them to the negotiating table in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian officials <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/04\/08\/world\/asia\/china-iran-cease-fire.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">told The New York Times<\/a> that a last-minute push from China ultimately helped convince Tehran to diffuse tensions.<\/p>\n<p>Beijing\u2019s involvement in securing the ceasefire and Xi\u2019s comments denouncing the blockade reflect China\u2019s interest in seeing the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz come to an end soon.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly half of China\u2019s crude oil imports pass through the strait. While China\u2019s economy is more diversified than many countries in Asia and Africa, it can\u2019t avoid the economic costs of the war for long, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/04\/14\/china\/china-iran-war-costs-oil-analysis-intl-hnk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CNN reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith more Chinese interests at stake, the US may be able to get China more involved in pushing Iran toward a negotiated solution,\u201d Yun Sun, the director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., told CNN. \u201cChina will resort to diplomatic pressure, including bilateral and multilateral to push for the speedy lifting of the blockade.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>S\u00e1nchez, during his meeting with Xi, praised China as the only major world power that could end the war in Iran and other conflicts such as in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI find it very difficult to find other interlocutors, beyond China, who can resolve this situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pressed his Pakistani counterpart to help \u201cpreserve the hard-won momentum\u201d of the talks it hosted over the weekend. On Tuesday, China called the U.S. blockade a \u201cdangerous and irresponsible move.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump suggested Tuesday <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/5830594-us-iran-peace-talks-trump-pakistan\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">another round of peace talks<\/a> could happen in the next two days in Pakistan. He told the New York Post talks are \u201chappening\u201d but have been a \u201clittle bit slow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump met with U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue on Tuesday to prepare for the summit with Xi next month, which is focused on striking a trade deal. A tariff truce has largely held since their last meeting in October, but Trump threatened new 50 percent tariffs if China supplies arms to Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the war, both sides seem <a>intent<\/a> on moving toward a trade deal \u2014 so far.<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/?p=5831305\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: Senate GOP divided on Iran war funding<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/14\/nx-s1-5766431\/us-iran-trump-lng-supply-strait-of-hormuz-qatar\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NPR<\/a>: U.S. companies get windfall from global natural gas shortage<\/p>\n<p>3 Things to Know:<\/p>\n<p>California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has set a special election to <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/5831587-california-governor-race-special-election\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fill the remainder<\/a> of former Rep. Eric Swalwell\u2019s (D-Calif.) term for Aug. 18. A special election has yet to be set for the seat vacated by former Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), whose resignation took effect just before midnight.<\/p>\n<p>Two House Republicans who voted to subpoena former Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Epstein files investigation <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/house\/5831627-bondi-deposition-gop-resistance\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">expressed skepticism<\/a> about joining Democrats to hold her in contempt for refusing to comply. Bondi skipped her scheduled deposition Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) hinted a special session for lawmakers to redraw the state\u2019s congressional lines ahead of the midterms <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/5831205-florida-redistricting-special-session-delay\/?tbref=hp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">could be delayed<\/a> past the originally scheduled date on Monday. But he said the session will happen \u201cone way or another.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Leading the Day<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Leading-Gallego_080925_AP_Charlie-Neibergall.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5831479\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) speaks during a town hall meeting, Aug. 9, 2025, in Davenport, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press)<\/p>\n<p>FORMER FRIEND: Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego (D) expressed regret Tuesday for his close friendship with Swalwell, who resigned over multiple sexual misconduct allegations.<\/p>\n<p>Gallego denied any prior knowledge of Swalwell\u2019s alleged wrongdoing in comments to reporters, saying he \u201clied to all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy friendship with him, our family\u2019s friendship together with him, clouded my judgement, and I was wrong. I deeply, deeply regret that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Gallego had for years kept a close relationship with Swalwell. He told reporters that he and his family were \u201cas close as it gets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They shared meals and their kids went to baseball camp together, he said.<\/p>\n<p>The Arizona Democrat chaired Swalwell\u2019s unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.<\/p>\n<p>He has faced growing scrutiny in recent days following the accusations that multiple women made against Swalwell, raising questions about whether he had any indication of his friend committing misconduct.<\/p>\n<p>Gallego said \u201cwe all heard rumors\u201d about Swalwell for \u201cmany years,\u201d but he had no knowledge of Swalwell\u2019s alleged actions. He said he asked Swalwell about rumors of his misconduct circulating online a few weeks ago and \u201che lied to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis man led a double life,\u201d he said. \u201cHe lied to us, he lied to his family, he lied to his constituents, some of the most powerful people in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Gallego added that he would release any texts or communications he had with Swalwell if asked to do so as part of an investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg\u2019s (D) office said Saturday that it would <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/5827287-manhattan-da-investigates-swalwell\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">launch an investigation<\/a> into Swalwell, and Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/regulation\/court-battles\/5831390-los-angeles-investigates-swalwell\/?email=999a1e65f27cd50e97501c68436e20bc1ef7c57d&amp;emaila=4b764990f85eeeaa6c56f6cd16ca487e&amp;emailb=993f74526fbed8c792e10b03dab2d8fcee5597b2f091ab90250ffe5304882903&amp;utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=04.14.26%20RS%20-%20Breaking%20News%20-%20Eric%20Swalwell\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">confirmed to The Hill<\/a> on Tuesday that his office is also investigating him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen and if a case is presented, seasoned prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for charges to be filed,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen a filing decision is made, we will ensure the public is made aware.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hochman\u2019s statement came in response to an inquiry about a <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/house\/5831049-fifth-woman-accuses-swalwell\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fifth woman who came forward<\/a> with allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell, accusing him of drugging and raping her in 2018.<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/?p=5831300\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: Dems race to distance themselves from Swalwell<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/5831250-former-staffer-says-swalwell-rightfully-has-no-one-working-for-him-anymore\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: Former staffer says \u2018rightfully\u2019 no one working for Swalwell anymore<\/p>\n<p>BREATHING ROOM: House Republicans gained one additional seat in the lower chamber Tuesday as Rep. Clay Fuller (R-Ga.) was <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/house\/5831689-fuller-sworn-in-to-replace-greene\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">sworn in<\/a> to his seat after winning a special election to succeed former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) last week.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou were sent a warrior to Congress, and I can\u2019t wait to fight for you each and every day,\u201d Fuller said, addressing his constituents at his swearing-in ceremony.<\/p>\n<p>With Fuller in office, Republicans now hold a 217-213 edge in the chamber over Democrats. Rep. Kevin Kiley (Calif.) left the Republican Party to become an independent last month but still caucuses with the GOP.<\/p>\n<p>The addition of Fuller gives House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) one more vote to work with in a narrowly divided body. But he still can only afford to lose two members in party-line votes and have measures pass.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are also likely to add another member to their ranks shortly with a special election Thursday to fill the seat vacated by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D).<\/p>\n<p>JAN. 6 CASES: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked a federal appeals court to <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/regulation\/court-battles\/5831248-justice-department-seeks-vacation-proud-boys-convictions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">vacate the convictions<\/a> of the leaders of two right-wing groups charged with seditious conspiracy for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Tuesday to clear the convictions for the heads of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers so the DOJ can move to dismiss the cases with prejudice, preventing them from being refiled.<\/p>\n<p>Four Proud Boys members \u2014 Enrique Tarrio, Joe Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Ethan Nordean \u2014 were convicted of sedition for their role in trying to stop the certification of former President Biden\u2019s 2020 electoral victory. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and his deputy, Kelly Meggs, were also convicted of sedition.<\/p>\n<p>Other members of the groups were acquitted of sedition but found guilty of other charges.<\/p>\n<p>Trump pardoned Tarrio on his first day back in office last year along with those he issued for 1,500 others charged in connection to the insurrection. But the other top Proud Boys and Oath Keepers had their sentences only commuted to time served.<\/p>\n<p>If the DOJ request is approved, it could wipe out the final convictions tied to the attack.<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/healthcare\/5831100-biden-trump-abortion-prosecutions-report\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: DOJ accuses Biden administration of weaponizing abortion clinic law.<\/p>\n<p>BANK ORDER: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/5830266-trump-executive-order-banking-system-citizenship\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">executive order to require banks<\/a> to collect citizenship information from customers is \u201cin process\u201d during an interview with Semafor on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy don\u2019t we have information on who\u2019s in our banking system? I have a place in the U.K.; they want to know who lives in every apartment. And how do we know that it\u2019s not part of a foreign terrorist organization?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>A draft of the order was first reported on earlier this year, the latest in the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. A White House spokesperson told NewsNation in February that any reporting on policymaking not announced by the administration is \u201cbaseless speculation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/5831236-federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: Bessent OK with Federal Reserve holding off interest rate cut<\/p>\n<p>ANTI-NARCO MILESTONE: The U.S. military <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/defense\/5831695-narco-trafficking-boat-lethal-strike-50\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">conducted its 50th lethal strike<\/a> against alleged drug-trafficking boats during the Trump administration on Tuesday, killing four \u201cnarco-terrorists\u201d in the Eastern Pacific.<\/p>\n<p>The strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific have killed at least 174 alleged narco-terrorists since they first began on Sept. 2. The administration has argued the strikes have helped push back on the flow of illegal drugs in the region, but critics have alleged they violate international law.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Southern Command said the vessel hit on Tuesday was operated by a designated terrorist organization engaged in \u201cnarco-trafficking\u201d operations but didn\u2019t specify which group it was referring to.<\/p>\n<p>RETIREE DAY: Hundreds of advocates for AARP will head to Capitol Hill today for the organization\u2019s Lobby Day to advocate for issues that concern Americans age 50 and older.<\/p>\n<p>The group flew in hundreds of members, advocates and volunteers from all 50 states, setting them to meet with members of both chambers of Congress, including members of leadership. Their message will be to protect Social Security and families\u2019 financial security and prevent fraud.<\/p>\n<p>AARP will also have three billboard trucks circling around the Capitol throughout the day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs the voice for 125 million Americans 50+, our message to Congress is clear: protect Social Security, support family caregivers, and strengthen safeguards against fraud and financial exploitation,\u201d Nancy LeaMond, AARP\u2019s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Where &amp; When<\/p>\n<p>The president will participate in executive time at 8 a.m. He will participate in a policy meeting at 12:30 p.m. and in signing time at 3:30 p.m. He will participate in another policy meeting at 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>The first lady will participate in a House Ways and Means Committee roundtable discussion at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>The House and Senate will convene at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>Zoom In<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Zoom-In-Me-Too_110117_AP_Damian-Dovarganes.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5831482\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Tarana Burke, founder and leader of the #MeToo movement, marches with others at the #MeToo March on Nov. 1, 2017,  in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press file)<\/p>\n<p>#METOO REVIVED: The resignations of Swalwell and Gonzales are triggering a reckoning among both Democrats and Republicans, years after the first wave of the #MeToo movement ended multiple members\u2019 political careers.<\/p>\n<p>The past few days have highlighted the anger that a vocal group of female lawmakers have expressed, arguing that sexual misconduct remains a more widespread problem on Capitol Hill than acknowledged. The Hill\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/house\/5831287-me-too-congress-sexual-misconduct-swalwell-gonzales\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Emily Brooks reports<\/a> this is raising questions about whether this will be another moment of reckoning leading to reforms on sexual misconduct policies or if Swalwell\u2019s and Gonzales\u2019s departures from Congress will defuse the effort.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are many young women over the last few months that have come forward about multiple MALE members of congress, both Democrat and Republican and the leadership on both sides has done nothing,\u201d Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who took the lead in pushing for both Swalwell and Gonzales to resign or be forced out, said in a post on the social platform X.<\/p>\n<p>The #MeToo movement led to multiple politicians\u2019 resignations a decade ago, including former Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).<\/p>\n<p>In 2018, the House changed its rules for handling allegations of sexual misconduct. Changes included an explicit prohibition on lawmakers having sexual relationships with their employees and a requirement that they reimburse the Treasury Department for settlements paid over allegations against them.<\/p>\n<p>But both Swalwell and Gonzales were accused of having sexual relationships with staffers.<\/p>\n<p>Gallego said at his Tuesday press conference that Congress should reevaluate its policies and procedures on sexual misconduct in light of the allegations against them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have to go back and make that better because clearly, there\u2019s holes in this,\u201d he said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t created an environment through the legislation to make women, especially staffers, feel like they could come and talk to somebody and not have any repercussions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/house\/5831499-cory-mills-expulsion-house\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) says he hasn\u2019t heard talk of an expulsion effort<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Elsewhere-Post-Gazette_040226_AP_Gene-J-Puskar.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5831485\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>The printed edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sits in a newspaper rack, April 2, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar Associated Press)<\/p>\n<p>POST-GAZETTE LIVES: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/media\/5830778-nonprofit-group-buys-post-gazette\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">will remain open<\/a> after it was sold to a nonprofit publishing group Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The historic paper\u2019s parent company, Block Communications Inc., sold the Post-Gazette to the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, which is financed by hotel magnate and former Maryland state Sen. Stewart W. Bainum Jr. (D), the publisher of The Baltimore Banner.<\/p>\n<p>The Post-Gazette, which was founded in 1786 and has operated under its current name since 1927, was <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/media\/5677562-pittsburgh-post-gazette-shut-down\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">set to cease operations<\/a> early next month following a lengthy battle between its owners and its labor union. After the Supreme Court rejected the paper\u2019s emergency appeal to block a lower court ruling requiring it to abide by an earlier labor agreement with the union, Block Communications said it would shutter the paper instead.<\/p>\n<p>Post-Gazette workers had been on strike for more than three years over claims the publisher violated its collective bargaining agreement and \u201cunilaterally\u201d imposed new rules worsening health care coverage and other benefits. Employees returned to work in November.<\/p>\n<p>The sale will be effective May 4, and the paper will keep its name and remain based in Pittsburgh. Bainum told the Post-Gazette in an interview that the new iteration of the paper may start out smaller, saying the current business model doesn\u2019t support the size of the newsroom.<\/p>\n<p>But he said the nonprofit wants to \u201cbuild a culture that\u2019s transparent, collaborative and ambitious and has a sense of urgency and respects everybody\u201d at the Post-Gazette.<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/media\/5830247-tmz-opens-dc-bureau\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: TMZ launches D.C. bureau<\/p>\n<p>\u25aa <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/keeping-score\/5831059-nfl-reporter-dianna-russini-the-athletic-resigns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Hill<\/a>: Top NFL reporter resigns following photos with head coach<\/p>\n<p>Opinion<\/p>\n<p>The Closer<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Closer-Door-Dash_041326_AP_Alex-Brandon.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5831484\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>President Trump speaks to Sharon Simmons, a Dasher from Arkansas, who delivered him two bags of McDonald\u2019s food outside the Oval Office of the White House, April 13, 2026, in Washington. (Alex Brandon, Associated Press)<\/p>\n<p>And finally \u2026 Sharon Simmons, who became known as \u201cDoorDash Grandma\u201d after she <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/5829060-trump-mcdonalds-delivery-no-tax\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">delivered McDonald\u2019s<\/a> to Trump at the White House, is defending her praise of the president for his \u201cno tax on tips\u201d law.<\/p>\n<p>Simmons <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/video\/6393086973112\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">told Fox News an interview<\/a> that she didn\u2019t want the focus of the event to be about her, responding to the online backlash to her staged White House delivery.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t want to be part of any of the decisive issues because that\u2019s just not me. I love everybody. I love people on every side of the fence about different issues because that\u2019s how my parents brought me up, not to judge people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Simmons told Trump during the visit that the no tax on tips provision of his One Big Beautiful Bill Act saved her $11,000.<\/p>\n<p>Some online chimed in with criticism of the moment, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AdamKinzinger\/status\/2044028711104651418?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\">arguing it was a stunt<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Mollyploofkins\/status\/2044003474082263249?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\">questioning the validity<\/a> of her story.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am not a paid actor,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cMy life is just like everybody else\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Morning Report is The Hill\u2019s a.m. newsletter.\u00a0Subscribe here. In today\u2019s issue:\u00a0 China\u00a0weighs in on Iran war Gallego distances&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":69000,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[25731,6645,6664,6665,6663,25786,25787,25726,25638,25735,25734,25727,25725,6644,6646,6720,6717,25685,25746,25667,25657,25635,25648,6675,6654,25790,25709,25706,6670,25691,25686,25668,6737,6656,6655,6673,25689,6672,25680,6653,25652,25681,25699,6705,25756,6734,6735,6731,25637,6657,6733,6732,6661,6700,6674,6669,6639,6668,6719,25633,6681,6658,25670,25701,25772,25736,25710,6694,6736,6699,6706,6709,6710,25773,25774,6721,6723,6662,25700,6728,6678,6708,6707,6680,6679,25705,6697,6638,6729,6715,6716,6725,25789,6713,6698,25747,25656,6695,25654,25679,25771,25711,25707,25682,25703,25788,6684,25688,25671,25690,25708,25744,25673,25669,25702,25634,6637,6738,25724,6649,6647,6648,25733,25676,25677,25683,25770,25672,25692,6726,6636,6682,6635,6714,6634,6683,25674,6643,6650,6671,25704,6692,25720,288,6870,25775,3065,25718,25722,5915,3745,6429,1809,25655,25663,25659,2609,6686,3415,1861,25740,376,266,20872,6722,102,34,25664,6691,25791,6712,16070,6641,6676,25653,25695,25665,25661,25715,6632,9465,6730,25751,14337,7259,3058,6724,25645,25647,25643,15314,58,6757,25636,25752,23346,6651,20996,6652,25687,5642,25693,1897,25755,20180,2709,977,25639,4345,10280,25719,18127,223,17324,196,6704,222,25666,14928,25658,7674,25269,6633,3611,25644,25650,6659,25660,25694,6667,25758,25662,3732,214,6280,25723,25640,2601,6689,6685,6640,93,23579,1510,1860,187,5346,2289,2610,876,25750,213,7612,6727,6867,261,1515,25646,25717,5178,25754,6688,6677,25769,4722,25641,50,6283,25741,6711,25753,101,5983,25642,7184,25649,25745,25757,6660,6696,6701,6693,25631,25748,6687,6666,25768,25684,25732,14834,25762,6703,25766,25763,25767,6690,25675,25761,9924,14932,21341,25759,25698,24635,25749,25713,25729,25728,5462,21033,15171,14189,25712,25696,24282,6718,25678,25697,25651,25765,25760,25716,25764,18692,24854,25737,25632,6355,25742,25721,25739,25738,3445,25730,225,25471,23434,224,14629,12234,6642,6702,1877,25714,25743,3438,2103,1988,735],"class_list":{"0":"post-68999","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-strait-of-hormuz","8":"tag-american-airman","9":"tag-american-servicemembers-identified","10":"tag-azerbaijan-airport","11":"tag-azerbaijan-readiness","12":"tag-azerbaijan-retaliation","13":"tag-china-condemns-blockade","14":"tag-china-slams-blockade","15":"tag-crew-member-rescue","16":"tag-energy-price-shock","17":"tag-f-15-airman","18":"tag-f-15-pilot","19":"tag-f-15e-pilot-rescue","20":"tag-f-15e-rescue","21":"tag-fifth-us-soldier","22":"tag-first-us-casualties","23":"tag-hegseth-remarks","24":"tag-human-costs-of-war","25":"tag-iran-attack-plans","26":"tag-iran-ceasefire-proposal","27":"tag-iran-crackdown","28":"tag-iran-currency","29":"tag-iran-deadly-school","30":"tag-iran-deploy-mines","31":"tag-iran-forced-him","32":"tag-iran-forced-plot","33":"tag-iran-grip-hormuz","34":"tag-iran-gulf-retaliation","35":"tag-iran-killings","36":"tag-iran-leader-killed","37":"tag-iran-massacre","38":"tag-iran-military-strikes","39":"tag-iran-officers","40":"tag-iran-oil-prices","41":"tag-iran-operation","42":"tag-iran-plot","43":"tag-iran-plot-mastermind","44":"tag-iran-prepares-for-war","45":"tag-iran-pressured-him","46":"tag-iran-protests-strike-options","47":"tag-iran-recruitment","48":"tag-iran-regime","49":"tag-iran-strike-options","50":"tag-iran-strike-threat","51":"tag-iran-surveillance-kuwait","52":"tag-iran-targets-tech-firms","53":"tag-iran-war-affordability","54":"tag-iran-war-deaths","55":"tag-iran-war-oil","56":"tag-iran-war-oil-exporter","57":"tag-iran-war-powers","58":"tag-iran-war-routes","59":"tag-iran-war-surge","60":"tag-iran-warship-sunk","61":"tag-iran-water-facility","62":"tag-iranian-assassination-mastermind","63":"tag-iranian-assassination-plotter","64":"tag-iranian-drone-attack","65":"tag-iranian-leader-killed","66":"tag-iranian-president-vows","67":"tag-iranian-school","68":"tag-iranian-strike-kuwait","69":"tag-iranian-unit","70":"tag-iraq-warns-us","71":"tag-israel-arab-nations","72":"tag-israel-lebanon-attack","73":"tag-israel-pressure-iran","74":"tag-israel-us-strikes","75":"tag-israeli-tehran-strikes","76":"tag-khamenei-supreme-leader","77":"tag-kurds-iran-war","78":"tag-kuwait-dignified-transfer","79":"tag-kuwait-drone-attack","80":"tag-kuwait-veterans","81":"tag-lebanon-attack","82":"tag-lebanon-attacks","83":"tag-middle-east-death-toll","84":"tag-middle-east-death-tolls","85":"tag-nakhchivan-airport","86":"tag-netanyahu-iran-strike","87":"tag-oil-price-shock","88":"tag-pentagon-fifth-soldier-us-service-members","89":"tag-pentagon-kuwait-casualties","90":"tag-pentagon-kuwait-names","91":"tag-pentagon-names-service-members","92":"tag-pentagon-two-soldiers","93":"tag-qatar-saudi-arabia","94":"tag-russia-iran-war","95":"tag-second-iowa-soldier","96":"tag-serbia-energy","97":"tag-six-a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