Protesters Gather as Trump Touts 'No Tax On Tips' Policy in Las Vegas

The president's visit to the new AC Hotel at Symphony Park drew demonstrations from labor unions and activist groups.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A solitary protester holding a sign stands in front of a hotel, the scene bathed in warm, cinematic lighting and deep shadows, capturing the quiet tension of the moment.Protesters gather outside a Las Vegas hotel during President Trump's visit, expressing concerns over his administration's policies and their impact on the local economy.Las Vegas Today

President Donald Trump traveled to Las Vegas to promote his 'No Tax On Tips' policy, but his visit was met with protests from various groups, including the Culinary Union and progressive organizations like Indivisible and Battle Born Progress. Protesters criticized the administration's policies, arguing that the 'No Tax On Tips' measure does not go far enough and that federal policies are contributing to a slowdown in Las Vegas tourism and hurting tipped workers.

Why it matters

The president's visit to Las Vegas highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and labor unions, as well as concerns from hospitality workers about the impact of federal policies on the local tourism industry. The protests also demonstrate the continued political polarization in the country, with progressive groups organizing to voice their opposition to the administration's agenda.

The details

President Trump traveled to Las Vegas to promote his 'No Tax On Tips' policy, which aims to prevent employers from using tips to offset minimum wage requirements. However, the Culinary Union and other protesters argued that the policy is 'deeply flawed' and does not go far enough to protect tipped workers. Hospitality workers, such as a bellman at the Cosmopolitan hotel, reported that they are making less in tips due to the administration's policies, which they believe are contributing to a slowdown in Las Vegas tourism.

  • President Trump visited Las Vegas on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • Protests were planned for 4 p.m. on the same day as the president's visit.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who visited Las Vegas to promote his 'No Tax On Tips' policy.

Ted Pappageorge

The Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union, the largest labor union in Nevada, who criticized the president's policies and the 'No Tax On Tips' measure.

Aaron Mahan

A hotel restaurant worker who said the 'No Tax On Tips' policy 'doesn't go far enough' and is only temporary.

Joe Spica

A bellman at the Cosmopolitan hotel with over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, who believes federal policies are contributing to a slowdown in Las Vegas tourism and hurting tipped workers like himself.

Indivisible

A progressive activist group that organized a protest against the president's visit.

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What they’re saying

“The 'Trump slump' is real. And it's real for Las Vegas workers.”

— Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer

“It is deeply flawed. It doesn't go far enough.”

— Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer

“The occupancy at our hotels are down. Everyone that's coming is spending less. This is a bad combo for tipped workers.”

— Joe Spica, Bellman at the Cosmopolitan hotel

“I'm not making as much tips because of the policies they created. I'm worse off than if we didn't have no tax on tips.”

— Joe Spica, Bellman at the Cosmopolitan hotel

What’s next

The president will head to Arizona after his visit in Las Vegas.

The takeaway

The protests during President Trump's visit to Las Vegas highlight the ongoing tensions between the administration and labor unions, as well as concerns from hospitality workers about the impact of federal policies on the local tourism industry. The demonstrations also reflect the continued political polarization in the country, with progressive groups organizing to voice their opposition to the administration's agenda.