Former President Donald Trump, speaking at a campaign event in Las Vegas, has put a spotlight on the restaurant workers' finances with his "no taxes on tips" policy. At Il Toro E La Capra, Trump vocalized a firm promise to the congregation of supporters—many of whom are part of the service industry—that under his leadership, they will retain the entirety of their tip income without submitting a share to the government, as reported by FOX5 Vegas.
As reported by FOX5 Vegas, he stated, "They’re trying to squeeze every penny out of this tip income, the government is." Packed with patrons and political figures alike, the event echoed with the affirmation of Trump’s proposed policy. Ruth Hedrick, a Trump supporter, expressed her concern for large families who "actually live off these businesses" and feel excessively taxed. However, on her daily commute, Kathy Njus, Treasurer of the Nevada Republican Party, admitted that the government might lose some funds, which would require it to become more "fiscally responsible, just like we have to do with our household budget."
Trump's no-tax-on-tips agenda, according to Spectrum News 1, extends to all service-related professions, with an acknowledgment of Las Vegas's high concentration of service industry workers. Emphasizing the necessity of tips for their survival, Trump told Spectrum News 1, "We are going to let you keep 100% of your tip income and not be harassed."
In criticism of his political opponent and current Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump called her out for what he labeled as adopting a superficial approach to his policy. He accused her of flip-flopping ideologies and made allegations regarding the employment of IRS agents purportedly aimed to target tip income. "They’re going after it in a lot of ways," Trump accused, casting a light on the contentious nature of the administration’s hiring of new IRS personnel. In the wake of the infrastructure set by the Biden administration, the move is made to stand clear, purposed to fill positions as the workforce approaches eligibility for retirement, as per Spectrum News 1.
The battle lines are clearly drawn as the former president’s tour concludes in battleground states, leaving a trail of promises to cut taxes, reduce regulations, and make America affordable again. Whether Trump's policy will see fruition or be riddled with hindrances from the legislative process remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a card played boldly for those dependent on the winds and whims of the generous—or not so generous—public.
