On his tour of the state of Nevada, the new President of the United States expressed his intentions to implement measures that would positively affect the industry.
United States.- The new President of the United States, Donald Trump, was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, January 25, to highlight his campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips, emphasizing the importance of this measure to his allies in Congress.
Without providing details on how to implement his proposal, his presentation took place at the Circa Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, in front of approximately one thousand supporters. There, Trump once again celebrated his electoral victory in November 2024 and promoted the executive actions he had signed since taking office on Monday.
This event marked his first rally in a key state since taking office, after winning Nevada's six electoral votes in November, becoming the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to do so.
See also: The American Gaming Association praises President Trump's visit to Las Vegas
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 2.24 million waiters nationwide, for whom tips represent a significant part of their income. In Las Vegas, a city where tourism and the entertainment industry are key, tips are crucial not only for waiters but also for valets, hotel maids, and casino dealers. In fact, Nevada leads the country in the concentration of workers who rely on tips, with approximately 25.8 waiters per 1,000 jobs, followed by Hawaii and Florida.
"No Tax on Tips" or "No to taxes on tips" was one of the campaign promises in the state of Nevada, an idea that was later adopted by his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. Thus, Trump's visit primarily aimed to deliver a "message focused on the economy", centered on his commitment to workers in the tourism and entertainment industry, especially with his promise to eliminate taxes on tips.
"We are going to get it for you, 'no taxes on tips'," Trump affirmed. Although Trump's comments on tips were not detailed, his intervention sent a clear message to the Republicans in Congress about the priority of the proposal within the tax package they seek to pass this year. Trump plans to meet with House Republicans on Monday in Florida to discuss the strategy to follow.
The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, who is pushing the advancement of the tax package, invited Trump to address Congress in a joint session on March 4, a custom for newly elected presidents, who do not deliver a State of the Union address until their second year. Johnson mentioned that lawmakers collaborating with Trump expect the next four years to be "some of the most momentous in the history of our nation."
Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union, which represents about 60,000 hospitality workers in Nevada, commented that Trump's plans should not be limited only to the elimination of taxes on tips.
"Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the minimum wage of $2.13 —which is the reality in too many states in the country— will elevate millions of hospitality workers," Pappageorge told the Los Angeles Times, adding that many employers set wages below the federal minimum wage and expect tips to make up the difference.
