Las Vegas Trump's rally heated about tips taxes, criminal case and Biden
Former President Donald Trump held a highly anticipated campaign rally at Sunset Park in Las Vegas on June 9, 2024, drawing a crowd despite soaring temperatures. This event marked his first significant appearance in Nevada since February and came just two days before the state's crucial primary election.
The rally, a significant stop for Trump in the swing state of Nevada, was not without its hitches. Trump faced numerous technical difficulties during his speech, including microphone and audio problems, which prompted him to threaten non-payment to the crew responsible. "We’ll do another one of these in the very near future, and we won’t pay the contractor who did this job," Trump said in frustration.
Trump focused on his campaign themes, criticizing President Joe Biden and reiterating his vision for a second term. He pointed to the heat exceeding 100 degrees as a testament to his supporters' dedication. "Only my people could stand this kind of heat," he quipped, acknowledging the resilience of his audience.
"His remarks, which lasted roughly an hour, felt unfocused as he cycled through well-worn territory, railing against electric vehicles, immigration, the four criminal cases brought against him and President Biden’s physical and mental condition," New York Times reports.
Part of Trump's campaign is to remove taxes from tips. "When I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips," Trump said. "We’re going to do that right away, first thing in office, because it’s been a point of contention for years and years and years, and you do a great job of service — you take care of people."
As CNN reports, "The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 pushed back on Trump’s promise, which would need congressional approval, on Sunday. "For decades, the Culinary Union has fought for tipped workers’ rights and against unfair taxation," Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said in a statement".
Legal woes and political jabs
The rally occurred in the shadow of Trump's ongoing legal troubles. Recently, he was found guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records in New York, a topic he addressed by dismissing the charges as politically motivated attacks. "It's all part of their plan to stop our movement," he told the crowd, positioning himself as a victim of a biased judicial system.
Trump described Biden and Democratic policies as so ridiculous that "the only way they can beat us is to cheat" - we read in USA Today.
NYT reports, "Mr. Trump said next to nothing about his recent conviction on 34 felony charges in Manhattan, but he lamented the four times he was indicted last year as a "disgrace." Still, a number of people at the rally wore shirts reading "I’m voting for the convicted felon."
Biden's campaign quickly responded, labelling Trump's rhetoric as dangerous. "He is running an increasingly unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution," the Biden-Harris campaign stated, warning that a second Trump term would lead to "chaos" and "political violence"
Support and poll numbers
Trump's visit to Nevada is part of a broader strategy to solidify support in key battleground states. Polls indicate a tight race between Trump and Biden, with the former president holding a slight edge. Nevada, which Trump narrowly lost in 2020, remains critical for his 2024 campaign efforts.
Source: CNN Politics, USA Today, New York Times
