Kamala Harris Supports Donald Trump’s Push to Abolish Tips Tax

During a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced her support for eliminating federal taxes on tips, a proposal also previously suggested by former President Donald Trump. Her pledge resonated with many working families, emphasizing the need to raise the minimum wage and provide more financial relief to service and hospitality workers.

“It is my promise to everyone here when I am president, we will continue to fight for working families, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers,” Harris stated, drawing applause from the audience.

Trump introduced the idea at a rally in Las Vegas in June, where it was well-received by attendees in Nevada, a state known for its large number of tipped workers. This proposal has become a key element of Trump’s campaign as he seeks to maintain support across the nation.

Following Harris’ announcement, Trump took to social media to accuse her of borrowing his idea. He remarked, “Kamala Harris, whose ‘Honeymoon’ period is ENDING, and is starting to get hammered in the Polls, just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy.” He further added, “This was a TRUMP idea – She has no ideas, she can only steal from me.”

The Harris campaign responded to Trump’s claims, noting that her proposal would necessitate congressional action. A spokesperson for her campaign explained, “As president, she would work with Congress to craft a proposal that comes with an income limit and with strict requirements to prevent hedge fund managers and lawyers from structuring their compensation in ways to try to take advantage of the policy.”

Current polls suggest a competitive race, with some indicating that Harris is leading by three percentage points nationally and showing favorable results in three critical swing states. Both candidates are scheduled to face off in a debate on September 10, airing on ABC News.

In reaction to Harris’ remarks, Trump labeled her a “COPYCAT,” which sparked the #CopyCatKamala trend on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. This development indicates how both candidates are positioning themselves and their strategies moving into the next phase of the election.

The proposed elimination of federal taxes on tips would mean that tips would be exempted from federal income and payroll taxes. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, estimated that this policy could potentially reduce federal revenues by $150 to $250 billion over the next ten years, raising concerns about the fiscal implications of such a change.

The push to end these taxes highlights an ongoing debate surrounding worker compensation in the service industry. Advocates argue that this could significantly benefit those reliant on tips, while critics fear the potential economic ramifications for broader tax revenues.

As the campaign heats up, both candidates appear focused on appealing to voters affected by these economic issues, emphasizing their respective plans to aid working families. The next few months will likely highlight continued discussions around policy proposals like this, as each candidate aims to distinguish themselves leading into the next election cycle.

With public interest high and the stakes set to rise as debates approach, the positions taken by both Harris and Trump could have significant implications for their campaigns and the voters they seek to influence.

Source: USA Today