President Trump traveled to Las Vegas on Thursday to promote his “no-tax-on-tips” and “no-tax-on-overtime” policies, which he said have returned money into the pockets of everyday Americans.
The president returned to the gambling mecca, where he said a waitress in 2024 inspired the no-tax-on-tips policy.
Roughly 17% of the Las Vegas workforce relies on tips, significantly higher than any other city in the country. These workers span multiple industries, including the casino, hospitality and dining industries.
“Thanks to our tax cuts, this week, thousands of Nevada waiters, waitresses, casino dealers, bartenders, bellmen, barbers and caddies … received the biggest tax refund of their entire lives,” Mr. Trump said.
The president said if Nevada residents are happy with their tax refunds, they should vote for the Republicans in the midterm elections, adding that Democrats will increase their taxes as the cost of living is soaring.
“Every single American at every income level has more money in their pockets this week because of the Republican tax policies,” he said, adding that “we got to win the midterms.”
“If we don’t, these policies are going to be taken away from you. The taxes are going to go through the roof,” he warned.
Mr. Trump’s visit to Las Vegas is part of what the WHite House has dubbed “Tax Week,” when Mr. Trump will promote the tax cuts Americans got this year from his One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
On Monday, Mr. Trump welcomed DoorDash employee Sharon Simmons to the White House, where she touted the windfall she’s reaping from not paying income tax on her tips, saying the tax break gave her roughly $11,000 in extra income.
The White House on Tuesday highlighted everyday Americans and small business owners who said the tax cuts put more money back in their pockets.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler spent Tax Day speaking at the White House press briefing touting the administration’s tax cuts.
Roughly 45% of tax filers, or 53 million, claimed one or more of the tax cut provisions in Mr. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he signed into law last year.
More than 6 million Americans claimed the new “no-tax-on-tips” exemption, with an average deduction of $7,100. Another 25 million Americans used the new “no-tax-on-overtime” rule, with an average deduction of $3,100. More than 30 million older adults claimed an enhanced average deduction of $7,500. More than 1 million filers claimed no tax on car loan interest with an average deduction of over $1,800.
Democrats have pounced on the rising gas prices that have soared because of the Iran war. They say the price increases obscure the tax refunds.
“The American people are seeing their costs increase,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, California Democrat. “Even if they get a tiny bit of relief filing their taxes, every month they are paying more. Housing costs, utility costs, gas costs — all of those costs continue to go up.”
