
Under the sweltering Las Vegas sun, with temperatures soaring to a staggering 103° F, the scene was set at Sunset Park for a Trump campaign rally. The former president and potential Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, took the stage on Sunday with a provocative proposal: to eliminate taxes on tips—an idea that undoubtedly resonated with the large contingent of service workers in his audience.
Addressing throngs of followers, Trump saaid, “When I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips.” The enthusiastic crowd, undoubtedly comprised of many service workers who rely heavily on tips for their livelihoods, responded favorably.
Apparently drawing from his vast experience in the service-centric casino industry, Trump pressed on. “We’re going to do that right away,” he declared, addressing a longstanding issue that has caused frustration among service workers for years. His words made clear his admiration for these workers; those who “do a great job of service” and “take care of people.”
This proposal acutely reflected the reality of Las Vegas, a city where the casino industry is the most significant job creator, accounting for about 300,000 positions according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The back and forth campaign hustle is in full swing, with both Donald Trump and his prospective Democratic rival, President Joe Biden, keen on swaying the Nevada electorate and other crucial swing states ahead of the November 5 election.
The campaign rally followed a Saturday night fundraiser in Las Vegas for Trump’s 2024 campaign, orchestrated by local construction mogul, Don Ahern. With ticket prices ranging up to a hefty $844,600 per couple, it’s clear that the competition between Trump and Biden for the Silver State remains fierce.
Since the last four presidential elections, Nevada has held a track record of voting blue. However, the 2020 results showed a narrowing gap, with Biden only taking the state by a narrow margin of 2 points.
However, not all responses to Trump’s rallying cry were favorable. The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, which boasts a knockout membership of 60,000 workers from Las Vegas to Reno, swiftly responded with strong opposition to Trump’s proposal. “Relief is definitely needed for tip earners,” acknowledged Culinary secretary treasurer Ted Pappageorge, “but Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon.”
This was a rather poignant comment, considering that this rally was Trump’s first public appearance since his recent conviction on 34 felony counts in a hush-money trial in New York.