Trump Turns Las Vegas Economy Speech Into Attack on Democrats
The US president went after progressive Democrats a day after their wins in Michigan's primaries, while defending his tax measures.
US President Donald Trump turned a speech on the economy in Las Vegas into an attack on the Democratic Party, a day after progressive candidates scored key victories in Michigan's Democratic primaries on Tuesday.
Trump's visit was part of a more aggressive push by the White House to shift attention toward the success of progressive candidates, as voters remain unhappy with the president's handling of the economy and the Iran war.
Speaking to a crowd of loyalists at Red Rock Casino, Trump focused on tax provisions in last year's Republican spending package, including measures eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security income for many Americans.
"So if you're a waiter, a waitress, a bartender, a bellhop… you pay zero taxes on your tipped income," Trump said. He credited Las Vegas' service industry workers, a critical voting bloc in Nevada, with inspiring the temporary "no tax on tips" provision.
But the progressive victories were the dominant theme. Democratic socialists, Trump said, represented the creeping threat of communism and threatened to destroy the American way of life. "I think it's the greatest threat," he said.
Neither of the two winning Democratic candidates in Michigan identifies as a Democratic socialist, although some progressive candidates who won earlier primaries do.
Trump also attacked Abdul El-Sayed, who won the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan and will face Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers in November. Trump claimed El-Sayed "doesn't love Israel" and "hates" Jewish people.
El-Sayed has condemned antisemitism and said criticism of Israel's assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories should not be equated with antisemitism. The 41-year-old doctor campaigned on universal healthcare, ending unconditional aid to Israel and abolishing ICE, the federal immigration agency leading Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.
Beset with sagging poll ratings, Trump complained: "I don't get any credit for anything."
He appeared with Republican congressional candidate Marty O'Donnell in the Las Vegas-area district held by Democrat Susie Lee, a closely watched House battleground.
Democrats unanimously opposed the spending legislation, calling it a giveaway to wealthy Americans at the expense of Medicaid and food assistance. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found only one in three Americans support the military campaign against Iran.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.