President Donald Trump is traveling to Nevada and Arizona this week to promote tax cuts passed by congressional Republicans as his party seeks to defend its congressional majorities in the November midterm elections.

Trump's visit to Las Vegas on Thursday will feature a roundtable with police officers who have benefited from new tax breaks on overtime, along with a barber and casino pit supervisor who can claim new deductions on tips. The Treasury Department reported Wednesday that average tax refunds this year have exceeded $3,400, an increase of about $340 from the previous year.

The promotional tour comes as workers who earn tips and overtime are seeing larger returns under Trump's tax law, but those gains are being offset by rising gasoline prices driven by an ongoing conflict with Iran. In Las Vegas, gas prices are averaging $5 per gallon, up 28% from a year ago according to AAA data.

Local residents expressed mixed reactions to the economic conditions. Nicholas Delaney, an airline attendant who did not vote for Trump in 2024, said he spends over $100 to fill his 13-gallon tank and described Trump's handling of cost-of-living issues as "terrible." However, Paula Goodman, a bartender who voted for the president, said she appreciated the tax savings on tips and doesn't blame Trump for high gas prices.

The Bank of America Institute analyzed deposit and spending data, concluding that the average increase in tax refunds could cover the average increase in gasoline spending for at least five months. Chief economist Kathy Bostjancic at Nationwide noted that while steep gasoline price rises may offset increased tax refunds, the windfall likely prevents a sharper drop in consumer spending.

Trump's economic messaging has faced challenges this week from other controversies, including a public dispute with the Pope and controversial social media posts. GOP strategist Ron Bonjean noted growing Republican concerns about maintaining House control in November, emphasizing that Trump needs to address high gasoline costs alongside his tax message to maintain credibility with voters.