In Las Vegas, US President Donald Trump stepped to the microphone to talk economics — then quickly pivoted into a broadside against progressive Democrats, warning that their primary wins signal what he portrayed as a perilous turn for the party as November’s midterm elections approach.
Mr Trump’s trip was part of a more aggressive White House effort to spotlight the rise of progressive candidates, as voters remain unhappy with the president’s handling of the economy and the Iran war.
Speaking in a freewheeling address to a crowd of loyal supporters at Red Rock Casino, Mr Trump appeared a day after progressive candidates notched key victories in Michigan’s Democratic primaries on Tuesday.
He devoted part of his remarks to tax provisions in last year’s Republican spending package, highlighting measures that eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security income for many Americans.
“So, if you’re a waiter, a waitress, a bartender, a bellhop… you pay zero taxes on your tipped income,” Mr Trump said.
Progressives targeted
Still, it was the Democratic primary results in Michigan and elsewhere that repeatedly drew Mr Trump back to the same message.
He cast Democratic socialists as a creeping communist threat and said they would destroy the American way of life.
“I think it’s the greatest threat,” he said.
Neither of the two winning Democratic candidates in Michigan identify as Democratic socialists, although some progressive candidates who emerged victorious in earlier primaries do.
Socialism favours public control of major industries while allowing some private property and markets.
Democratic socialism pursues socialist goals through democratic means.
Communism is more radical: it seeks to abolish private property and create a classless society.
Mr Trump used the event to lash out at Abdul El-Sayed, who won the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan on Tuesday and will face Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers in the November election.
“He doesn’t love Israel. He doesn’t love Jewish people. He hates them. He hates them with a passion that burns in his heart, and there’s not a fricking thing he can do about it.”
Mr El-Sayed has condemned antisemitism and said criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories should not be equated with antisemitism.
The 41-year-old doctor ran on universal healthcare, ending unconditional aid to Israel and abolishing ICE, the federal immigration agency that has spearheaded Mr Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan is part of a series of wins for progressives over centrists in Democratic primaries
With his poll ratings sagging, Mr Trump also voiced frustration that he is not being credited for his policies.
“I don’t get any credit for anything,” he said.
Mr Trump appeared alongside Republican congressional candidate Marty O’Donnell in the Las Vegas-area district held by Democratic Representative Susie Lee, one of the House races drawing close attention as a battleground.
He said Las Vegas’ service industry workers — a pivotal voting bloc in Nevada — helped spur the legislation’s temporary “no tax on tips” provision.
Democrats unanimously opposed the legislation, arguing it amounted to a giveaway to wealthy Americans while putting social safety net programs such as Medicaid and food assistance at risk.
Democrats, meanwhile, have aimed to make the Iran war and rising prices central themes in the midterms.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found only one in three Americans back the military campaign, highlighting the headwinds Republicans face as cost-of-living worries remain voters’ top concern.
Supporters who attended the event said they were prepared to give the president more time to settle the Iran war — but want it resolved soon.
“We want to wrap it up as soon as possible, not just to save American lives and get our gas prices down, but we have the midterms coming up,” said Francine Moshkovsky, a retired Veterans Affairs physician from Las Vegas.
