Welcome! Thanks for ending your week with The Western Word. Here are the topics that caught my eye for today’s column:

• Artemis II Returns 
• Melania Speaks
• Donald Rants
• Gas Prices
• One More Thing

NOTICE-ARTEMIS II RETURNS:

The Artemis II crew is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, on Friday, (TODAY) April 10, 2026, at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT). (Source)

MELANIA SPEAKS:

Coming out of left field, First Lady Melania Trump spoke in front of the cameras at the White House on Thursday afternoon, denying any ties to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. 

Supposedly, President Trump did not know about the speech beforehand. (Source)

Melania said:

The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.

The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect.  I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation. 

I have never been friends with Epstein.  Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.

To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell.  My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence.  My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note. 

She also said:

Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now.  Be cautious about what you believe.  These images and stories are completely false.   

She believes that Congress should get involved: 

I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.  Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony.  Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record.    

You can read her complete speech HERE. 

This speech comes on the heels of Melania Trump having a -12 approval rating in a recent CNN/SSRS survey. 

The collapse puts Melania well below other modern first ladies at a similar point in their husbands’ presidencies. According to CNN/SSRS data cited, Nancy Reagan stood at +50, Hillary Clinton at +25, Laura Bush at +46, and Michelle Obama at +42. (Source)

She is being beaten badly by Hillary Clinton! That’s gotta hurt. 

DONALD RANTS:

In a lengthy social media post, President Trump assailed Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, trashing them as ‘nut jobs’ after they voiced opposition to the conflict in Iran.

Trump says they have “Low IQs” and “They’re stupid people,” and “they’re NUT JOBS.” 

MAGA loyalty is a suicide pact. The second you stop kneeling, Trump starts gutting.

GAS PRICES:

Late Thursday evening, the average national gas price was $4.16 per gallon. In Montana, the average is $3.91. (Source) 

I believe I paid $3.74 (with rewards) for gas in Great Falls on Thursday.

Thank you, President Donald Trump!

ONE MORE THING:

Imagine living in 1969 when we were stuck in a meaningless war, sending people to the moon, and our President was a crook. (Source)

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##