President Trump's Visit to Vegas: Reaffirms Promise of No Taxes on Tips
During his presidential campaign, President Trump made a promise to remove the federal taxes on tips that workers in the hospitality industry received. On his trip last week to Las Vegas, he reaffirmed his commitment as he made a speech at the Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Vegas.
President Donald Trump has reconfirmed his campaign promise to eliminate federal taxes on tips during his first official visit to Las Vegas as the commander-in-chief. Speaking at Circa Resort & Casino on Saturday, the 25th of January, 2025, the president addressed a crowd of over 1,000 supporters and vowed to follow through on his pledge to ensure hospitality workers keep 100% of their tips.
"We're going to get it for you - no tax on tips," declared Trump to a cheering audience at the downtown Las Vegas casino. "If you're a restaurant worker, a server, a valet, a bellhop, a bartender, one of my caddies - I go through caddies like candy - your tips will be 100% yours."
The president's remarks come on the heels of a whirlwind Friday schedule that saw him traveling from Washington, DC, to hurricane-stricken North Carolina, then to discussions in Los Angeles regarding recovery from the wildfires, before ending his day in Las Vegas. Trump stayed overnight at his Trump International Hotel before heading downtown to address supporters at Circa.
A campaign promise revisited
Trump first proposed the idea of eliminating taxes with regards to tips last June during his 2024 campaign, striking a chord with workers in the gaming and hospitality industries. Many credit the initiative for helping Trump win key support in states like Nevada, where tipping is a significant part of the economy. Trump's opponent in the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris, also pledged to make tips tax-free. Trump dismissed Harris's promise as imitation, calling her a 'copycat' during his speech.
Nevada, which had not voted Republican in a presidential election since 2004, played a pivotal role in Trump's return to the White House. In his speech, Trump expressed gratitude to Nevadans for delivering the state's six Electoral College votes to him. "I'm here to say thank you," Trump said. "This was the only Republican win of this state in decades, and it was a very big landslide. But I think Republicans are going to win a lot now."
Following his address, Trump toured Circa's lively casino floor alongside owner Derek Stevens. Amid cheers of "USA, USA, USA," a playful moment unfolded when a roulette player yelled, "Give me $47 on 47!" - a nod to Trump's status as the 47th president.
Union and industry support
Trump's pledge to eliminate taxes on tips has received backing from both workers and industry leaders. The Culinary Workers Union (Local 226) and Bartenders Union (Local 165), representing approximately 60,000 hospitality workers in both Reno and Las Vegas, have voiced their support for the initiative.
"Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the $2.13 sub-minimum wage, which is the reality in too many states across the country, will uplift millions of hospitality workers," said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union. Pappageorge urged bipartisan cooperation to address economic challenges, including raising the sub-minimum wage and tackling corporate practices that drive up the cost of living.
The American Gaming Association, a key lobbying group for the tribal and commercial gaming industries, also praised Trump's initiative. "Today's event is a testament to the president's commitment to making sure that the tax code not only encourages job creation but also ensures workers keep more of their hard-earned money," said President Bill Miller. He went on to say that it's exciting that the president visited a casino property early on in his second term - this event clearly demonstrates the positive role the gaming industry plays in the economy of the US.
A key issue for hospitality workers
With Las Vegas being a hub for the hospitality and gaming industries, the issue of taxing tips resonates deeply with the city's workforce. For many, tips make up a significant portion of their income, and Trump's proposed tax reform is seen as a way to improve their financial stability.
As Trump continues to push for the elimination of taxes on tips, his administration is set to face scrutiny from political opponents as well as policymakers. However, his remarks in Las Vegas signal a strong commitment to making this campaign promise a legislative priority.
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