Wall Street is experiencing an upswing, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all achieving unprecedented heights on Tuesday (Aug. 4). However, Democrats and Nevada’s largest casino workers’ union contend that President Donald Trump’s second term has ushered in what they are calling a “Trump Slump” along the Las Vegas Strip.
Trump is scheduled to address attendees on Wednesday (Aug. 5) at 1:30 p.m. local time at the Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
The former casino owner from Atlantic City and Indiana plans to highlight his second-term achievements and discuss how his tax reforms are benefiting working-class families. Notably, he will emphasize the “No Tax on Tips” initiative, which lets tipped employees deduct up to $25,000 in gratuities from their federal income taxes.
A significant number of tipped employees in Las Vegas are affiliated with Culinary Union Local 226, Nevada’s largest labor organization. Union leaders, along with various congressional Democrats representing Las Vegas, have a contrasting perspective to Trump’s narrative.
In anticipation of the president’s address at Red Rock, the union and federal officials will gather for a rally against what they term the “Trump Slump” at 10:00 a.m. at the union’s headquarters on Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas.
Union’s Resistance
Union leaders, alongside Nevada’s Democratic Representatives Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, and Susie Lee, assert that Trump’s policies have adversely affected Nevada’s economic landscape.
Nevada is currently facing a Trump Slump. Trump’s tariffs, erratic immigration policies, the conflict in Iran, along with soaring grocery and gas prices, are straining working families and reducing the influx of Canadian, Mexican, Southern Californian, and international tourists crucial to Nevada’s economy.
Culinary Union
“While Trump visits Las Vegas to promote ‘No Tax on Tips,’ the reality is that with tourism dwindling under his policies, numerous hospitality workers are struggling to earn enough in tips to even incur taxes,” the union commented.
The union and Democratic representatives contend that Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) has “failed to assist” workers during the Trump Slump.
“As Lombardo campaigns for re-election in a state historically sustained and managed by unionized hospitality personnel, Culinary Union seeks to understand why the governor aligns himself with Station Casinos and Trump’s detrimental economic strategies instead of advocating for the working citizens who bolster Nevada’s economy,” stated the union.
Station Casinos, which owns Red Rock, is run by the billion-dollar Fertitta family, known for their close ties to the Trump administration and significant contributions of $3 million to Lombardo’s re-election funds.
Culinary’s Democratic Alignment
Culinary’s opposition to Trump comes as no surprise. The union has consistently supported and endorsed Democratic candidates, never backing a Republican candidate for either presidential or congressional races.
Culinary represents 60,000 employees in Las Vegas and Reno, staffing most casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and downtown. Members fill various roles including guest room attendants, cocktail servers, food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, as well as laundry and kitchen staff.