Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump energized a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday with a promise to make tips tax-free, aiming to connect with workers in the city’s vast service industry. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at Sunset Park, Trump took the stage around noon despite the sweltering 100-degree heat.
In anticipation of the extreme heat, the Trump campaign had thoughtfully provided free bottled water, air-conditioned tents, misting stations, and extra medical staff to ensure attendees’ comfort and safety. These preparations highlighted the campaign’s commitment to its supporters.
During his hour-long speech, Trump refrained from endorsing any GOP candidate in Nevada’s crucial Senate race, which could determine control of the upper chamber in the upcoming elections. Although he praised GOP candidate Sam Brown, calling him a “good man,” he stopped short of a full endorsement ahead of Tuesday’s primary. Brown is competing for the chance to challenge incumbent Democrat Sen. Jacky Rosen this fall.
A technical glitch caused the teleprompter to go out, leading Trump to improvise. This allowed him to mock President Joe Biden’s teleprompter mishaps humorously, mimicking a confused old man wandering the stage. Trump also remarked that he wouldn’t pay the teleprompter company, predicting the media would twist his words to criticize him for not paying contractors. “I don’t pay contractors who do s&*% work,” he quipped, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Nevada, a swing state, was won by Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 and by President Joe Biden in 2020. However, Trump is hopeful about his chances this November, as current polls from FiveThirtyEight show him leading Biden by an average of 5 percentage points in the state. The rally showcased Trump’s determination to win Nevada and his ongoing appeal to a broad base of supporters.
