Donald Trump has proven time and again that he has the ability to draw a crowd no matter where he goes, including in the heart of deep-blue cities like Philadelphia.
During a recent campaign stop in the City of Brotherly Love, the presumptive GOP presidential candidate paid a visit to Tony and Nick’s Steaks, where he left a whopping $500 tip for the order. Along with the gratuity, Trump wrote a note that served as a reminder to the eatery’s employees, as well as others who rely on tips for their income, that a vote for him in November is a vote for lower taxes.
As Breitbart reported:
In a video shared to X by Margo Martin, Trump’s deputy director of communications, Trump can be seen writing on a check at Tony and Nick’s Steaks, and saying, “No tax on tips” as people in the background can be heard cheering.
“No tax on tips!” Trump says.
A photo posted to X by Martin shows a group of employees holding up the check signed by Trump, with the words, “Vote Trump. No tax on tip.”
Nicky Lucidonio, who owns the cheesesteak restaurant, Tony and Nick’s Steaks, told Fox Business that it was an “unbelievable” moment and that the former president answered questions and signed “hats” and “everything.”
“It was just unbelievable,” Lucidonio told the outlet. “He was talking to people, you know, they’re asking questions. He’s answering them. He’s signing hats. He signed and everything.”
The gesture sparked significant social media discussion:
VOTE TRUMP—NO TAX ON TIPS!!! pic.twitter.com/IeddHfp9Vm
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) June 22, 2024
Everyone deserves no taxes on tips!!! pic.twitter.com/EY9MRqEjg9
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) June 22, 2024
Other restaurant patrons have adopted similar strategies since Trump announced his plan to eliminate taxes on tips.
And the bartender screamed back TRUMP 2024 after seeing my note! No taxes on tips! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/O9vSrJKlEb
— 🌳⚡️Lisa Noeth 🇵🇭🇺🇸 (@LibertyLumpia) June 22, 2024
No Taxes on Tips !!! Vote Trump 2024. pic.twitter.com/SH3SjRF04g
— 1 CMacman (@1Cmacman) June 19, 2024
He elaborated on his campaign promise during a speech in Nevada earlier this month, as CBS News reported:
Former President Donald Trump on Sunday vowed to end taxation on tips for service workers at a rally off of the Las Vegas strip in Nevada, in a pitch to win over voters in the battleground state that is largely dependent on the hospitality industry.
“When I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips,” Trump said. “We’re not going to do it, and we’re going to do that right away, first thing in office, because it’s been a point of contention for years and years and years.”
It’s the first time Trump has made this pitch. Tips are crucial for Americans who work in the service industry, many of whom are paid below minimum wage and rely on tips to earn a living.
The Internal Revenue Service legally requires workers who earn wages based on tips to report their earnings on their taxes, which is then taxed at the same rate as regular income.
Here’s a clip from Trump’s remarks in Nevada:
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!