Trump returns to Vegas, touts 'greatest economy'
By: James Powel
USA Today
LAS VEGAS - President Donald Trump returned to Las Vegas on August 5 [2026] to make a familiar pitch: that his polices are lowering costs for Americans and putting money back in workers' pockets.
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Speaking at Red Rock Casino, Trump highlighted several signature initiatives from his second term, including tax breaks on tipped income, lower prescription drug prices and so-called "Trump accounts." He argued that inflation has eased and said his administration has helped deduce costs for consumers.
..... "The economy is the greatest economy we've ever had," Trump told supporters.
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But it was unclear how Trump's message would land in a state where many residents feel squeezed by a slowing tourism industry, high housing costs and higher-than-average gas prices.
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In a Civiqs rolling Online tracking poll of Nevada residents, 57% say they disapprove of Trump's performance in office.
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Las Vegas' tourism-dependent economy has faced headwinds throughout Trump's second term. The city drew about 3.1 million fewer visitors in 2025 than in 2024, a 7.5% drop, according to data from the Las Vegas convention and Visitor Authority. Excluding the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the largest drop in visitors since record-keeping began in 1970. However, convention travel through June [2026] has grown more than 12% year over year.
..... Richard Gatti, a Las Vegas resident who moved to Nevada in 2021, said in an interview before the event that housing costs are making it difficult for young people to build a life.
..... "It's outrageous how you see the cost of living and the cost of homes, and it is terrible how they made it so difficult, if not impossible, for young people to own a home," Gatti said.
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However, when asked if the Trump administration as doing enough to address afford ability, Gatti pointed to Democratic policies.
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"Democratic-controlled areas keep pushing up the cost of living and the cost of homes, making it impossible for young people to have a future," Gatti said.
..... The Silver State is in the midst of a contentious gubernatorial race, and the event doubled as a rally for Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who spoke ahead of Trump.
..... Lombardo attempted to tie his Democratic challenger, state Atto4eny General Aaron Ford, to California Governor Gavin Newsom and the democratic socialist wing of the Democratic Party. He said that Ford's proposals would lead to higher taxes in the state, according to an analysis dun by his campaign.
..... "My opponent - whose name shall not be mentioned - his proposal was evaluated on how he was going to move the economy forward in Nevada, and that proposal was $18 billion," Lombardo said. "So let me ask you something, how are we going to pay for that?"
..... Trump asked the crowd to propel Lombardo to "win big" in November. [2026]
..... Ford said in a statement to USA Today that Trump and Lombardo were trying to "gaslight voters" about the state's economy.
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"While Lombardo chooses to be a human doormat for Trump, I'll keep fighting to lower costs and pout money back in Nevadans' pockets," Ford said.