This week in Las Vegas, US President Donald Trump arrived amid motorcades and Secret Service detail to highlight the success of his federal tax reforms, which were heavily influenced by the local economy, and to endorse Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo in his reelection bid this November.
Trump delivered a wide-ranging speech at the Red Rock Casino on Wednesday, where he transitioned fluidly from topic to topic. He lauded the "no tax on tips" provision to foreign relations, the Iran war, and criticisms of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Throughout his remarks, Trump disparagingly referred to Democrats as "Dumocrats," despite the fact that five out of six Congressional representatives from Nevada are Democrats.
"I’ve been fighting for the people of Nevada like no president ever has before," he proclaimed, describing Nevada as a "great state" filled with "thousands of proud, hardworking American patriots."
With Nevada’s economy heavily reliant on tourism and hospitality, the state has the highest concentration of tipped workers in the country. Trump’s "One Big, Beautiful Bill" introduced last July enables eligible workers to deduct up to $25,000 in tipped income from federal taxes. In recent months, Nevada has experienced significant job growth and concluded the last tax season with the fourth highest average tax refund in the US, according to Upgraded Points.
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump secured Nevada with 50% of the vote compared to 47% for Democrats, although he lost Clark County, encompassing Las Vegas, by the same margin to Kamala Harris.
"No tax on tips didn’t hurt," he remarked about his previous victory in Nevada.
During the event, Trump referenced his inspiration for the no tax on tips policy, recounting a dinner at his Trump International Las Vegas hotel where a "beautiful" waitress shared her tax burdens with him.
"She was my consultant… You hire these people, you pay ’em millions of dollars, they don’t come up with crap; takes a waitress from Las Vegas to give us some good ideas," Trump joked.
Despite providing some financial relief to Las Vegas casino workers, critics attribute a long-term decline in tourism in the gambling capital to Trump’s foreign and economic policies. It's noteworthy that the deduction is temporary and will expire in 2028, with married couples needing to share the $25,000 cap.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported a 7.5% drop in city visits in 2025, paired with a 6% decline in air traffic to Harry Reid International Airport. As of 2026, visitation was down in three of the previous six months, while air traffic continued to fall by 7%.
Traffic from Canada, traditionally a major source market, has also dwindled, with major airlines like Air Canada and WestJet reporting year-to-date decreases of 16% and 23%. In response, LVCVA CEO Steve Hill and other officials have traveled to Canada to alleviate concerns, while certain casinos have attempted to attract Canadian travelers with targeted promotions.
"Canada’s nasty…I love the people but they’re nasty, nasty leadership," Trump stated on Wednesday.
Trump also spent part of his speech discussing tariffs, which have been a critical component of his economic strategy during his second term. He celebrated increased tariffs on dozens of trade partners, a move he first announced last April. "The tariffs have made us rich," he told attendees at Red Rock.
Following the implementation of these tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the US Supreme Court struck them down in February, resulting in the government refunding $100 billion. Trump has since sought to reestablish these rates, which face legal challenges. Rising costs stemming from tariffs have affected casino suppliers, with the Tax Foundation estimating an average tax increase of $1,000 per US household in 2025, dropping to $900 in 2026. According to reports, US tariff rates have shifted more than 50 times during Trump’s second term.
"Instead of saying, ‘We’ve been doing it this way for 10 years, let’s keep doing it’, everybody’s trying to be a little bit more efficient and a little bit more dynamic, realizing they’re going to encounter uncertainty or disruptions," Daron Dorsey, CEO of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, noted in April.
Prominent local figures such as Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, Phil Ruffin, and Dana White, were present at the event. "What a beautiful family, aren’t they loaded? They’re loaded," Trump quipped about the Fertittas, who are leadership figures at Red Rock Resorts. The company has reported impressive performance and a growing market over the last two years, despite a recent dip in revenue and adjusted EBITDA.
With Ruffin, often praised by Trump as "one of the greatest businessmen in the world," the President highlighted Ruffin’s ownership of various properties including Circus Circus and Treasure Island. Trump added a personal note about Ruffin’s wife, Ukrainian model Oleksandra Nikolayenko, whom he described as impressive. Their wedding took place at Mar-a-Lago in 2008, with Trump serving as best man.
Dana White, who introduced Trump at the event, remains a supporter of the President, though he recently urged Trump to repeal the contested 90% gambling loss deduction included in the "One Big, Beautiful Bill"—a point Trump did not address.
As for the upcoming Nevada governor’s race, Trump strongly endorsed Lombardo, humorously urging him to win by a large margin. Lombardo is facing formidable opposition from Democratic candidate and Attorney General Aaron Ford, who currently holds a lead in polling and prediction markets.
Ford is also leading Nevada’s legal efforts against prediction markets, which the state believes threaten its gambling dominance. Nevada’s successes in shutting down platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket may bolster Ford’s campaign.
During the event, Lombardo spoke and reprimanded an audience member for booing during a moment of silence for a fallen local officer, stressing the importance of respect.
"No, no, we’re not booing him. He’s the officer that passed away here recently," he clarified.
