Six people were hospitalized for heat-related illnesses after attending a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, where temperatures soared to 104 degrees, according to officials.
The former president commented on the heat during his largely off-script speech, caused by teleprompter issues, and sparked online controversy for his remarks about attendees. “By the way, isn’t that breeze nice? Do you feel the breeze?” he said in a recording from C-SPAN. “Cuz I don’t want anybody going on me. We need every voter. I don’t care about you, I just want your vote, I don’t care.”
Just days earlier, 11 people were hospitalized for heat-related issues at a Trump rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
Here’s what else happened at Trump’s rally in Las Vegas and why he’s campaigning in Nevada:
Trump Proposed Ending Taxes on Tips
Trump introduced a new proposal to eliminate taxes on tips, a move likely to appeal to Nevada’s casino and entertainment workers. “So this is the first time I’ve said this, and for those hotel workers and people that get tips, you’re going to be very happy because when I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips people (are) making,” Trump told a crowd of approximately 6,900 people. He promised to make this change “right away, first thing in office,” seeking legislation from Congress to implement it.
Trump Threatened to Withhold Pay from Teleprompter Company
Trump expressed frustration with constant teleprompter issues and vowed not to pay the company responsible. “I don’t pay contractors who do Six people were hospitalized for heat-related illnesses after attending a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, where temperatures reached 104 degrees, according to officials.
Trump’s Remarks on the Heat
During his largely off-script speech due to teleprompter issues, Trump commented on the sweltering conditions, stirring controversy online by saying, “Isn’t that breeze nice? Do you feel the breeze? Cuz I don’t want anybody going on me. We need every voter. I don’t care about you, I just want your vote, I don’t care,” as recorded by C-SPAN.
Previous Heat-Related Incidents
Earlier that week, 11 attendees were hospitalized due to extreme heat at a Trump rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
Key Points from the Las Vegas Rally
Proposal to End Taxes on Tips
Trump introduced a new proposal to eliminate taxes on tips, aiming to benefit Nevada’s casino and entertainment workers. Addressing a crowd of about 6,900 people, he said, “This is the first time I’ve said this, and for those hotel workers and people that get tips, you’re going to be very happy because when I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips people (are) making.” He promised to prioritize this change and seek legislation from Congress to implement it.
Criticism of Teleprompter Company
Trump criticized the teleprompter company for technical issues and vowed not to pay them, stating, “I don’t pay contractors who do (expletive) work.” The lack of prepared remarks led to a more spontaneous speech, including crowd interactions and discussions on various topics, such as who should be his vice presidential running mate and whether “Sleepy Joe” or “Crooked Joe” was a better nickname for Biden.
Tangent About Sharks and Electrocution
In one of his tangents, Trump discussed whether he would prefer to be eaten by a shark or electrocuted, humorously stating, “I’ll take electrocution every single time.”
Campaigning in Nevada
Trump is campaigning in Nevada ahead of the state’s primary election on Tuesday, where voters will choose a Republican opponent to Democratic first-term incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen. Although Trump did not make an endorsement at the rally, he later backed veteran Sam Brown in the Republican primary on Truth Social.
Nevada’s Political Landscape
Nevada, a battleground state, has previously favored Trump’s opponents. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won by approximately 2.5 percentage points. In 2020, President Joe Biden secured 50.1% of the vote compared to Trump’s 47.7%, a difference of about 33,600 votes.
