The Trump Slump is hurting working families

On April 16, the Culinary Union held a press conference calling out the "Trump Slump" impact on the Las Vegas economy as President Trump visited the state.  As a result of Trump’s tariffs, immigration policies, and attacks on Canada, Las Vegas suffered a decline in total visitors of 7.5% in 2025, the worst in a non-pandemic year since 1970. Lower visitation rates to Las Vegas mean fewer visitors spending money in hotels, restaurants, and small businesses – and that leads to fewer shifts and tips for hospitality workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a decline of 27,000 hospitality jobs last month.  Workers are living through what we call the "Trump Slump" and it’s showing up in their hours and their paychecks. This administration’s chaotic trade and immigration policies have put a serious chill on travel and tourism. That means fewer hours, less tips, and hard conversations at kitchen tables. At the same time, we’re seeing a deportation system that targets long‑time, otherwise law‑abiding workers and tears families apart. If an ICE crackdown like the one in Minneapolis hit the Las Vegas Strip, visitors simply would not come here. Culinary Union members fought hard and won strong contracts, but those gains are being undermined by an economy tilted toward billionaires while working families fall further behind. Instead of addressing the real cost‑of‑living crisis: Housing, utility bills, groceries, and health care - this administration is waging a war on working families and our economy. Las Vegas is a hospitality‑dependent economy, and we need policies that welcome visitors, respect workers, and strengthen our state. We’re going to keep organizing and fighting for a real course correction.