Trump Campaign Responds to UNITE HERE Endorsement of Kamala Harris

The Trump campaign has reacted strongly after the hospitality union UNITE HERE rejected former President Donald Trump’s tax-free tips pledge and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, criticized union leaders for being "puppets for the Democrat Party," claiming they are disconnected from the workers they represent. This endorsement includes a commitment from UNITE HERE to mobilize its members to canvass over 3 million doors in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina. Trump had previously appealed to restaurant and hotel workers by promising tax-free tips as part of his tax cut strategy, a proposal he announced during a rally in Nevada. However, UNITE HERE President Gwen Mills dismissed Trump’s pledge as a mere electoral tactic, emphasizing Harris's longstanding support for union workers. The competition for the support of tipped workers is intensifying as Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, seek to attract blue-collar voters in the Rust Belt. Vance, speaking at the Republican National Convention, highlighted the struggles of small-town America, pledging to remember the needs of forgotten communities. In a notable shift, Teamsters President Sean O'Brien addressed the convention, expressing a willingness to consider support for a Republican ticket, emphasizing the importance of actions that benefit American workers. Leavitt reiterated Trump’s commitment to delivering results for workers, contrasting his business acumen with Harris's role in the current economic climate.