Ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to Nevada, the Nevada State Democratic Party and the Culinary Union held a press conference with Assemblymember Linda Hunt (AD 17), Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge, and Culinary Union members to highlight Joe Lombardo and Trump’s cost-raising agenda.
Amid a yearlong “Trump Slump,” tourism is plummeting and working families are paying more for groceries, gas, and health care despite Trump and Lombardo’s promises to lower costs. After helping Trump get elected and embracing his endorsement, Lombardo continues to cave to Trump’s billionaire-first agenda that leaves working families behind.
Read highlights from the press conference below:
“Nevada families are suffering. Governor Lombardo has taken Nevada in the wrong direction. He embraced Donald Trump and our community is paying the price. Under their leadership, life has gotten harder for Nevadans,” said Assemblymember Linda Hunt (AD 17). “The Trump Slump is real. It’s hurting us all. As a food server and Culinary Union member for 47 years, I see what’s been going on. There are now fewer tourists in Las Vegas, fewer customers. That means less tips and means less money to support our families.”
“Let’s talk about Trump’s number one cheerleader, Governor Lombardo. Where is Governor Lombardo on the cost of gas, the cost of groceries, the cost of our power bills, the cost of car insurance?” said Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge. “Why is Governor Lombardo supporting these crazy tariffs, these stupid wars and this thug-led immigration policy that are affecting tourism in Las Vegas and affecting our jobs? When is Governor Lombardo going to stand up to Trump? The silence is deafening.”
“The last year was the worst I’ve ever had in tips. It’s not even close. Every single item and every service that I pay for has gone up ridiculous amounts. Rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, gas now, you name it, gone up,” said Culinary Union member and tipped hospitality worker Joe Spica. “With the low amounts of guests that are coming to Las Vegas, some of my co-workers have been laid off. I have friends that have worked full time for over 25 years and now don’t have a job. We have on-call workers that haven’t gotten a shift in weeks. Something has to change and it has to change fast.”
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