WASHINGTON: Charges of plagiarism and stealing ideas erupted against Kamala Harris on Saturday after she pledged a “no tax on tips” policy at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, ground zero of the $235 billion US hospitality industry that employs nearly 15 million workers.
Eliminating taxes on tipping has been part of Donald Trump’s campaign promise and the Republican nominee immediately flew into a rage, accusing Harris of copying his idea for “political purposes.” He wondered when she would “steal” his promise to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors.
“Kamala Harris, whose “Honeymoon” period is ENDING, and is starting to get hammered in the Polls, just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy. The difference is, she won’t do it, she just wants it for Political Purposes! This was a TRUMP idea – She has no ideas, she can only steal from me. Remember, Kamala has proposed the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY – It won’t happen,” Trump fumed in a social media post, rejecting surveys showing his opponent surging at the polls.
Harris’ “no tax on tips” pledge came in a nod to the local culinary union which was present in strength at a raucous rally in Nevada, a toss-up state. Las Vegas alone employs more than 300,000 workers in hospitality sector, mainly in hotels, casinos, and restaurants.
While Harris’ promise was part of a broader agenda in which she also promised to raise the minimum wage for workers and stop “wage theft,” Trump supporters questioned why she has not taken the lead on this as vice-president over the past three years, generating hashtags like #copycatkamala on social media.
It was the second time this week that the Harris campaign has been put on the defensive after it was forced to acknowledge that her running mate Tim Walz “misspoke” when he gave the impression he had served in combat during his 24-year service in the National Guard.
With polls showing Harris surging in half dozen swing states that will determine the outcome of the election, the Trump campaign has stepped up its attack on the first woman of color to win a major party presidential nomination, with crude sexist and racist salvoes led by the former President himself.
Both the abuse and the tipping issue is seen together in a now infamous video clip in which Trump, driving a golf cart, peels off cash to tip caddies praising his debate performance, while he appears to call President Biden “a broken down pile of crap” and Kamala Harris a “f…king bitch.” Trump supporters maintain the audio is deliberately distorted and he is actually saying she “f..king bad.”
Both sides have now taken to manipulating visuals to undermine the rival campaigns, notably by posting videos — taken hours before campaign rallies — showing unoccupied seats. While both campaigns are attracting large partisan crowds, the inflow of political donations, particularly of small retail contributions, point to a surge of enthusiasm on the Democratic side, backed by polls showing Harris ahead.
After five energetic rallies in a week in swing states, Harris is heading to her home state California over the weekend for a fundraiser hosted by former House speaker Nancy Pelosi. She is expected to unveil her policy platform next week.
Eliminating taxes on tipping has been part of Donald Trump’s campaign promise and the Republican nominee immediately flew into a rage, accusing Harris of copying his idea for “political purposes.” He wondered when she would “steal” his promise to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors.
“Kamala Harris, whose “Honeymoon” period is ENDING, and is starting to get hammered in the Polls, just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy. The difference is, she won’t do it, she just wants it for Political Purposes! This was a TRUMP idea – She has no ideas, she can only steal from me. Remember, Kamala has proposed the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY – It won’t happen,” Trump fumed in a social media post, rejecting surveys showing his opponent surging at the polls.
Harris’ “no tax on tips” pledge came in a nod to the local culinary union which was present in strength at a raucous rally in Nevada, a toss-up state. Las Vegas alone employs more than 300,000 workers in hospitality sector, mainly in hotels, casinos, and restaurants.
While Harris’ promise was part of a broader agenda in which she also promised to raise the minimum wage for workers and stop “wage theft,” Trump supporters questioned why she has not taken the lead on this as vice-president over the past three years, generating hashtags like #copycatkamala on social media.
It was the second time this week that the Harris campaign has been put on the defensive after it was forced to acknowledge that her running mate Tim Walz “misspoke” when he gave the impression he had served in combat during his 24-year service in the National Guard.
With polls showing Harris surging in half dozen swing states that will determine the outcome of the election, the Trump campaign has stepped up its attack on the first woman of color to win a major party presidential nomination, with crude sexist and racist salvoes led by the former President himself.
Both the abuse and the tipping issue is seen together in a now infamous video clip in which Trump, driving a golf cart, peels off cash to tip caddies praising his debate performance, while he appears to call President Biden “a broken down pile of crap” and Kamala Harris a “f…king bitch.” Trump supporters maintain the audio is deliberately distorted and he is actually saying she “f..king bad.”
Both sides have now taken to manipulating visuals to undermine the rival campaigns, notably by posting videos — taken hours before campaign rallies — showing unoccupied seats. While both campaigns are attracting large partisan crowds, the inflow of political donations, particularly of small retail contributions, point to a surge of enthusiasm on the Democratic side, backed by polls showing Harris ahead.
After five energetic rallies in a week in swing states, Harris is heading to her home state California over the weekend for a fundraiser hosted by former House speaker Nancy Pelosi. She is expected to unveil her policy platform next week.