Trending Now - Trump to Advocate Tax Cuts in Struggling Las Vegas Economy

WHO:

ABC News - Trump stated, “This is the birthplace of a little idea called ‘no tax on tips,’” during a roundtable with workers benefiting from the new deduction.

ABC News - Paula Goodman, a bartender in a Henderson casino, said, “Every little penny nowadays is, like, huge,” referring to her grocery expenses.

ABC News - Trump stated, “This is the birthplace of a little idea called ‘no tax on tips,’” during a roundtable with workers benefiting from the new deduction.

ABC News - Trump will hold a roundtable with police officers, a barber, and a casino pit supervisor to discuss tax breaks on tips and overtime.

ABC News - Nicholas Delaney, an airline attendant from Henderson, expressed concerns about the cost of living and said, “I gotta spend over $100 for a full tank of gas, 13 gallons? Crazy.”

ABC News - Paula Goodman, a bartender in Henderson, stated she spends more than $400 a week on groceries for her family.

ABC News - Trump will hold a roundtable with police officers, a barber, and a casino pit supervisor in Las Vegas.

ABC News - Nicholas Delaney expressed concerns about the cost of living and said, “I gotta spend over $100 for a full tank of gas, 13 gallons? Crazy.”

ABC News - Paula Goodman stated, “Every little penny nowadays is, like, huge,” referring to her grocery expenses.

ABC News - President Donald Trump is visiting Las Vegas.

ABC News - White House spokesman Kush Desai commented on the tax cuts.

ABC News - Nicholas Delaney, an airline attendant from Henderson, expressed his views on the cost of living.

ABC News - Paula Goodman, a bartender in Henderson, shared her perspective on the economic situation.

ABC News - Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, provided an analysis on gasoline prices.

ABC News - GOP strategist Ron Bonjean discussed Republican concerns regarding the upcoming elections.

ABC News - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made predictions about gas prices.

WHAT:

ABC News - Gasoline prices in Las Vegas are averaging $5 per gallon, up 28% from 2025, according to AAA.

ABC News - The average price of diesel is reported at $6.11 in Las Vegas.

ABC News - Trump is promoting tax refunds for workers, claiming they could be as high as $8,000.

ABC News - The average price of diesel is reported at $6.11 in Las Vegas.

ABC News - The Bank of America Institute concluded that the average increase in tax refunds could cover the average increase in gasoline spending for at least five months.

ABC News - Workers who earn tips and overtime are seeing bigger returns this tax season due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that Trump signed last year.

ABC News - Gasoline prices in Las Vegas are averaging $5 per gallon, up 28% from 2025, according to AAA.

ABC News - The average tax refund this year has been over $3,400, up about $340 from 2025.

ABC News - Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, stated that “the steep rise in gasoline prices looks likely to completely offset the increased tax funds windfall with households.”

ABC News - Trump stated in a Fox News Channel interview that gas prices “could be the same or maybe a little bit higher” by the November midterms.

ABC News - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted that gas prices will fall sometime this summer, stating, “I’m optimistic that sometime between June 20th and September 20th, that we can have $3 gas again.”

ABC News - The average price of diesel is reported at $6.11 in Las Vegas.

ABC News - The Bank of America Institute concluded that the average increase in tax refunds could cover the average increase in gasoline spending for at least five months.

ABC News - Trump is promoting tax cuts he signed into law in 2025.

ABC News - The average tax refund this year is over $3,400, an increase of about $340 from 2025.

ABC News - Gasoline prices in Las Vegas are averaging $5 per gallon, up 28% from 2025.

ABC News - Trump will hold a roundtable with police officers, a barber, and a casino pit supervisor to discuss tax breaks.

ABC News - The Bank of America Institute reported that the average increase in tax refunds could cover the average increase in gasoline spending for at least five months.

ABC News - Bessent predicted that gas prices could fall to $3 between June 20th and September 20th, 2026.

WHERE:

ABC News - Trump is visiting Las Vegas, Nevada.

ABC News - Nicholas Delaney lives in the suburb of Henderson, Nevada.

WHEN:

ABC News - Trump is visiting Las Vegas on Thursday, April 16th, 2026, and will hold an event in Phoenix on Friday, April 17th, 2026.

ABC News - Trump is visiting Las Vegas on Thursday, April 16th, 2026.

ABC News - Trump will hold an event in Phoenix on Friday, April 17th, 2026.

ABC News - Trump made comments about gas prices on Sunday, April 12th, 2026, and walked back those comments on Wednesday, April 14th, 2026.

ABC News - Trump is visiting Las Vegas on Thursday, April 16th, 2026.

ABC News - Trump will hold an event in Phoenix on Friday, April 17th, 2026.

ABC News - The Treasury Department reported the average tax refund on Wednesday, April 14th, 2026.

ABC News - Bessent made his prediction on April 14th, 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - Trump is facing growing political pressure to wrap up the war in Iran and focus on economic messaging to help Republicans defend their congressional majorities in the November 2026 midterm elections.

ABC News - Trump is facing growing political pressure to shift focus from the war in Iran to economic issues ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

ABC News - Trump faces growing political pressure to wrap up the war in Iran and focus on economic messaging to help Republicans defend their congressional majorities in the November 2026 midterm elections.

ABC News - Trump is focusing on economic issues to help Republicans defend their congressional majorities in the November 2026 midterm elections.

ABC News - The high gas prices are attributed to the ongoing war in Iran.

HOW:

ABC News - The White House described high gas prices as a temporary disruption from the war in Iran, emphasizing the administration's focus on tax cuts, deregulation, and boosting U.S. energy production to drive down prices.

ABC News - Trump is advocating for tax cuts, deregulation, and boosting U.S. energy production to drive down prices.

ABC News - Trump has stated that he thinks the war with Iran will end soon, but a deal to resolve it has not yet emerged.

ABC News - Trump is advocating for tax cuts, deregulation, and boosting U.S. energy production to drive down prices.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 05:42 UTC)

During a roundtable in Las Vegas, Trump highlighted the new tax deduction for tips, stating, “This is the birthplace of a little idea called ‘no tax on tips,’” while local bartender Paula Goodman expressed her concerns about rising grocery costs. Gasoline prices in Las Vegas have surged to an average of $5 per gallon, marking a 28% increase since 2025, with diesel prices hitting $6.11. As Trump visits Las Vegas and prepares for an event in Phoenix, he faces mounting pressure to conclude the war in Iran and pivot towards economic messaging ahead of the November midterm elections.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 04:02 UTC)

Trump is in Las Vegas promoting tax refunds for workers, claiming they could be as high as $8,000, and he emphasized the importance of a new deduction for tips during a roundtable with workers. He is facing increasing political pressure to shift his focus from the war in Iran to economic issues as the November midterm elections approach. The White House has characterized high gas prices as a temporary disruption due to the conflict, highlighting their commitment to tax cuts, deregulation, and enhancing U.S. energy production to lower costs.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 01:21 UTC)

President Trump held a roundtable in Las Vegas with police officers, a barber, and a casino pit supervisor to discuss tax breaks on tips and overtime, as he faces increasing political pressure to address economic issues ahead of the November midterm elections. During the event, airline attendant Nicholas Delaney voiced his concerns about the rising cost of living, noting he spends over $100 for a full tank of gas, while bartender Paula Goodman mentioned her grocery bills exceed $400 a week. With the average price of diesel hitting $6.11 in Las Vegas, Trump is advocating for tax cuts, deregulation, and increased U.S. energy production to help alleviate these financial burdens.

(UPDATED April 16, 2026 23:12 UTC)

Workers who earn tips and overtime are seeing bigger returns this tax season thanks to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed by Trump last year, with the average tax refund exceeding $3,400, which is an increase of about $340 from 2025. However, gasoline prices in Las Vegas are averaging $5 per gallon, up 28% from last year, and Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, warns that this steep rise may offset the benefits of the increased tax refunds for many households. In a recent interview, Trump suggested that gas prices could remain the same or even rise slightly by the November midterms, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism that prices might drop to $3 per gallon sometime this summer.

(UPDATED April 16, 2026 11:24 UTC)

Trump is set to hold a roundtable in Las Vegas with police officers, a barber, and a casino pit supervisor to address rising concerns over the cost of living, as locals like Nicholas Delaney express frustration over paying over $100 for a full tank of gas. The average price of diesel in the city is reported at $6.11, and a recent study from the Bank of America Institute suggests that the average increase in tax refunds could offset rising gasoline expenses for at least five months. Amid growing political pressure to conclude the war in Iran, Trump has indicated that he believes it will end soon, although no deal has been reached yet.

(UPDATED April 16, 2026 07:21 UTC)

President Trump is in Las Vegas on Thursday to promote the tax cuts he signed into law in 2025, as he focuses on economic issues ahead of the November midterm elections. The average tax refund this year has increased to over $3,400, which could help offset the rising gasoline prices that are averaging $5 per gallon in the area, a 28% jump from last year. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts that gas prices could drop to $3 between June 20th and September 20th, while Trump will also hold a roundtable discussion with local officials and business owners to address tax breaks.