Las Vegas, United States - January 25, 2025 01/25/2025 12:00 pm (GMT-0800) Las Vegas – President Trump Gives Speech on No Tax on Tips Policy in Las Vegas. **President Trump Highlights Plan to End Taxes on Tips in Las Vegas Rally** President Donald Trump visited Las Vegas on Saturday, reiterating his campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips while signaling its importance to congressional allies. However, he stopped short of offering specific details on how the plan would be implemented. Instead, Trump devoted much of his 40-minute speech to about 1,000 supporters in a casino ballroom celebrating his recent election victory, mocking the Biden administration, and touting the flurry of executive actions he has issued since taking office earlier in the week. “But I have to be honest with you, I’m really here for a different reason — I’m here to say thank you,” Trump said to the crowd at Circa Resort Μ Casino. The event marked Trump’s first rally in a swing state since taking office. Nevada, where he captured six electoral votes in November, was part of his sweep of seven competitive states that secured his electoral majority and a second, non-consecutive term. Trump is the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to win the state. ### **Focus on Tips and the Economy** Trump’s Nevada stop was framed as an “economic-focused message,” emphasizing his pledge to remove taxes on gratuity income — a promise he championed during the 2024 campaign. “We’re going to get it for you — ‘no tax on tips,’” Trump declared, standing behind a podium bearing the slogan. After the rally, Trump walked through the Circa casino floor, greeted by chants of “USA, USA” from patrons. A player at a roulette table shouted, “Give me $47 on 47!” in honor of Trump, the 47th president. Though the spin didn’t land, Trump cheerfully signed autographs amid the cheers of his supporters. While Trump offered few specifics, his remarks underscored his intent to make this proposal a priority for the ambitious tax package congressional Republicans are drafting. On Monday, he is set to meet with House Republicans in Florida to discuss strategy. Speaker Mike Johnson, who is leading efforts to advance the tax plan, has invited Trump to address a joint session of Congress on March 4. Johnson expressed optimism that this term could become “one of the most consequential in our nation’s history.” ### **The Nevada Connection** Nevada, with its strong hospitality-driven economy, was a fitting location for Trump to highlight the issue of gratuity taxation. The state has the nation’s highest concentration of tipped workers, with approximately 25.8 waitstaff per 1,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Las Vegas’s 24-hour economy relies heavily on tipped workers, including servers, valet attendants, hotel staff, and casino dealers. Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union, representing 60,000 hospitality workers in Nevada, said Trump’s initiative is a step forward but urged broader reforms. “Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the $2.13 sub-minimum wage — still a reality in too many states — will uplift millions of hospitality workers,” Pappageorge stated. He pointed out that many employers pay below the federal minimum wage, relying on tips to bridge the gap. ### **Executive Action and Achievements** The rally also served as a capstone for Trump’s first week in office. He highlighted the executive orders he has signed, claiming they have already begun reversing “failures and betrayals” of previous administrations. “We’ve accomplished more in one week than most administrations achieve in four years,” Trump proclaimed. Among the actions he cited were a freeze on new foreign aid funding, withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, and an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in federal agencies. “We feel a light over our country,” Trump said. “Everyone does.” While the rally spotlighted his economic priorities, Trump’s broader message reflected his intent to solidify his base and set the tone for the coming years.