LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Displayed on the 108-inch monitor from a raised stage supporters of Former President Donald Trump gathered at a Las Vegas hotel to express their outrage and approval.
Over 900 attendees watched the Tuesday presidential debate at the Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel organized by the Trump 2024 campaign—initially only 700 reserved tickets according to campaign staff.
Dolly de Leon, a Las Vegas resident, jumped to her feet and wagged her finger at the screen while Vice President Kamala Harris spoke. At one point she shared a napkin with another attendee who was eating food from the in-house pizzeria before she yelled once more toward the screen.
“I am really excited to see this debate,” Deleon said. “I am rooting for President Trump and it’s just he’s such a good debater.”
De Leon said she had hoped the topic of no tax on tips would have been covered during the debate, noting she had stickers displaying the issue.
“When I go to restaurants, I take a sticker that says no tax,” she said.
The room full of supporters did not appear to show those who are on the fence, more moderate voters, but Jeffrey Lustok, a candidate for Nevada Assembly District 11, said this debate likely would not appeal to them.
“I don’t think this debate is going to really pull anyone across the line,” Lustok said. “I think it will solidify the supporters that they already have.”
Lustok said he was pleased with how Trump performed and criticized Harris ahead of what he expects to be a close election in Nevada.
“I’ve never seen an election where more is on the line,” he said. “This is a chance for us to see historic voter turnout in Las Vegas, something that we haven’t seen in a number of years. I think that times like this, when we have the national debate, and when it comes to Las Vegas, it really energizes people.”