Nevada Lawmakers Blame President Trump for Las Vegas Tourism Slump

The Las Vegas tourism sector faced significant challenges in 2025, with overall visitation plummeting and Strip gaming revenues declining. US Senator Catherine Cortez Masto attributed the downturn to President Donald Trump’s policies regarding tariffs and tourism visas.

During a press conference at the Culinary Local 226 headquarters, she expressed her commitment to reversing these policies, despite the Republican majority in Congress. In response, a Trump administration representative highlighted that economic growth rates had surpassed those under former President Joe Biden. They forecasted a rebound in 2026.

2025 was the year of the #TrumpSlump with visitation to Las Vegas down 7.5%. @POTUS is killing our tourism economy, as he discourages international travelers and raises costs here at home.https://t.co/qn9Vk8isnM

— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 29, 2026

Impact on Nevada’s Hospitality Sector

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto emphasized the struggles facing the hospitality and tourism sectors, attributing them to the current administration’s “erratic blanket tariffs.”

She noted that tourism promotion programs have been diminished and visa costs for prospective visitors have risen, impacting attendance.

Specifically, Cortez Masto pointed out an 18% drop in visitors from Canada, stating, “That’s thousands of your visitors who are not attending shows on the Strip, not dining at our restaurants, and not gaming in our casinos.”

Masto warned that this decline is shrinking local tax revenue and added, “The chaos of this administration is making life harder for our members and for our families. This uncertainty is ripping people apart.”

Trump Administration Defends Policies

In response to the criticisms, the Trump administration defended its policies, asserting that initiatives like the One Big Beautiful Bill are fostering economic improvements that had stagnated under President Biden.

Joseph Lavorgna, a counselor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, stated, “Unfortunately, the people in your state and in Las Vegas who were in the Culinary [Union] and the entertainment industries are suffering in part because the labor market had been rapidly deteriorating under President Biden.”

He highlighted a 1.2% increase in blue-collar wages, claiming that overall wages are outpacing inflation. Lavorgna emphasized the benefits of the “No Tax on Tips” policy, which he believes will support essential workers in Nevada, stating, “They’re going to benefit from this.”

Culinary Union Concerns Over Tax Program

Members of the Culinary Union have raised concerns about a “marriage penalty” associated with the no-tax-on-tips program. It requires married individuals claiming the credit to file jointly and limits the benefit to $25,000 per year, even if both spouses earn tips.

Lavorgna acknowledged the program’s focus on blue-collar workers, suggesting potential changes in the future, stating, “So this was a great program, a great start.” Meanwhile, Senator Masto vowed to continue challenging Trump’s policies, emphasizing the need for transparency, noting, “We have to shine a light on what’s happening.”