LAS VEGAS – 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 & 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.
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.”
