Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire after proposing the elimination of taxes on tips, a policy she unveiled during a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Harris’s pledge to end taxes on tips has led to accusations from Trump and his supporters, who claim she is guilty of appropriating his policy for political gain, as the Washington Examiner reports.

At the Las Vegas event, Harris outlined her plan to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for workers in the service and hospitality sectors.

This announcement was met with swift criticism from the Trump camp. Trump campaign political director James Blair was among the first to respond, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse Harris of being a "copycat." Blair also pointed out that the current administration, of which Harris is a part, had implemented a new enforcement program just last year to collect more taxes on tips.

Trump himself weighed in on the controversy through his platform, Truth Social. He accused Harris of copying his "NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy" and suggested that she was doing so for purely political reasons.

Trump also took the opportunity to emphasize that this policy was originally his idea, while casting doubt on Harris's intentions to actually implement it. He reiterated his claim that Harris, despite her promises, would not follow through and criticized her for proposing what he described as the "LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY."

Trump Supporters React to Harris’s Proposal

The reaction from Trump's supporters was equally vocal. Senator J.D. Vance questioned why Harris, as a member of the current administration, does not implement the policy immediately if she believes in it so strongly.

His comments reflect a broader skepticism among Trump allies about Harris's commitment to the proposal.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also joined the fray, taking to X to label Harris a "fake candidate" and criticizing her for making promises she supposedly has no intention of delivering on during her current term as vice president. Greene's criticism extended beyond the tip tax proposal, as she questioned Harris's overall legitimacy as a candidate.

Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., further stoked the flames by mocking Harris's proposal on X. He suggested that Harris and her running mate would rely on "stolen proposals" in their campaign.

Meanwhile, Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, went even further, calling Harris a "shameless phony" for allegedly stealing Trump’s policy idea.

Harris Defends Her Campaign Promise

Despite the mounting criticism, Harris stood by her pledge during the Las Vegas rally. She emphasized that, if elected president, she would continue to advocate for working families by pushing for both a higher minimum wage and the elimination of taxes on tips.

Harris framed her proposal as part of a broader effort to support service and hospitality workers, who she argued are essential to the nation’s economy.

The controversy over Harris’s proposal highlights the ongoing tension between the Biden administration and Trump’s supporters as the 2024 election approaches. Harris, who is currently serving as vice president under President Joe Biden, is expected to face significant scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats as she campaigns for the presidency.

Criticism of Harris’s Timing and Motivation

One of the central criticisms leveled against Harris is the timing of her proposal. Detractors GOP VP hopeful JD Vance and Greene have questioned why Harris is not pushing for the elimination of tip taxes now, given her position within the current administration.

This criticism suggests that Harris’s proposal may be seen as more of a campaign tactic than a genuine policy commitment.

Furthermore, the accusations of plagiarism from Trump and his allies add another layer of complexity to the debate.

Trump’s claim that Harris is copying his idea could resonate with his base, who may view the proposal as further evidence of what they see as the Biden administration’s lack of originality.