How Trump's tax law boosts the wealthy and leaves behind some workers he promised to help

In Las Vegas, where Trump pledged “no tax on tips” during his 2024 campaign and became the first Republican to win Nevada in 20 years, the Culinary Workers Union has been pushing for new federal legislation to expand how much income from tips married couples can deduct and which tips are eligible, along with extending the tax break beyond 2028, when it is set to expire.

“At the end of the day, the billionaires got their tax cuts permanent, and these are temporary. It’s basically throwing us a bone,” said Ted Pappageorge, the secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas, which endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

Sherie Cummings, the casino cocktail waitress, who is a member of the Culinary Workers Union, had been expecting that she and her husband wouldn’t have to pay any taxes on the $60,000 in tips they earned. Instead, they received just the $25,000 deduction.

With her refund, she’s focusing more on savings than making any new purchases given her uncertainty about the economy. Visits to Las Vegas were down 7.5% last year and tourism is off to a mixed start this year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Cummings worries this will be another difficult year as gas prices hit $4 amid the U.S. war with Iran, though prices could drop if a recent ceasefire holds.

“I’ve never seen it like this before,” Cummings said. “They’re not spending, and they’re not tipping.”

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