Aaron Ford blames Lombardo and Trump tariffs for Nevada's high unemployment
Source: The Nevadan · All The Nevadan reports
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Summary
This short clip from The Nevadan features Nevada Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford criticizing Gov. Joe Lombardo and President Donald Trump. Ford labels the current conditions the 'Lombardo-Trump economy,' claiming Trump's tariffs—endorsed by Lombardo—have caused high unemployment, business closures, and widespread economic havoc in Nevada. He argues that Trump's 'no tax on tips' pledge is meaningless if workers aren't earning tips due to the damaged economy.
The segment consists entirely of Ford's campaign remarks with no opposing voices, experts, or data graphics presented. It draws from Ford's ongoing attacks during the 2026 governor's race, referencing prior statements where Lombardo suggested Nevadans might need to 'feel a little pain' from tariffs for long-term gains.
Editorial Assessment
Ford's core claims hold partial water: Trump's tariffs contributed to a measurable 7.5% drop in Las Vegas visitors in 2025, with Canadian tourism (a key market) down sharply amid trade tensions, hurting the hospitality sector that employs a large share of tipped workers. Some small businesses have cited rising costs and softer foot traffic. However, the clip frames this as the dominant cause of a 'decimated' state economy without context that Nevada added jobs year-over-year (1.1% in July 2026), unemployment has trended down to 5.0% (above the 4.1% national rate but not the highest), and leisure/hospitality employment, while soft, is part of a broader recovery pattern. Viewers miss Lombardo's counter that tariffs bring manufacturing jobs long-term and that Nevada's challenges predate or involve other factors like inflation and post-pandemic shifts. The no-tax-on-tips provision became law in 2025 as a deduction up to $25,000 but does not eliminate payroll taxes and its average savings are far below some Trump claims. Overall, this is partisan campaign rhetoric that selectively emphasizes negative outcomes while downplaying mitigating data.
Key Moments
Lombardo and Trump have decimated our economy with tariffs causing high unemployment, business closures, and havoc across Nevada
Tourism fell 7.5% in 2025 with Canadian visits down ~20% amid tariffs; Nevada unemployment is 5.0% (July 2026, above U.S. 4.1%) but declining with 1.1% YoY job growth; some restaurants cite costs but not universal decimation.
Joe Lombardo said we should maybe feel a little pain from the tariffs
Lombardo has repeatedly used or been quoted with this phrasing in 2025 interviews, arguing tariffs yield long-term manufacturing and job gains despite short-term costs.
It doesn't really matter about tips if you're not getting tips in the first place due to the economy
The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a temporary deduction for tips; while tourism softness reduces earning opportunities, the policy targets income tax on qualified tips regardless and Ford's link is rhetorical rather than quantified.
Those tariffs have caused businesses to close
Isolated reports of Las Vegas eateries closing due to higher wholesale costs and lower foot traffic exist, but statewide data shows net job gains and no evidence of mass closures directly attributed solely to tariffs.
Notable Concerns
- Oversimplification of causation between tariffs and statewide unemployment without acknowledging other economic drivers
- Hyperbolic language ('decimated,' 'wreaked havoc') unsupported by current BLS data showing stabilizing job market
- No counter-perspective from Lombardo or neutral economists on tariff benefits or tourism rebound in 2026
Sources Consulted
- Nevada Economy at a Glance
- State Employment and Unemployment Summary - July 2026
- Democratic primary winners promise campaign tying Lombardo, Republicans to Trump
- Ford slams Lombardo over Trump tariffs
- Candidates Ford, Lombardo trade jabs on economy as Trump visits Nevada
- Trump's 'No Tax on Tips' Claim Doesn't Add Up
- Vegas workers say they have been hit by tourism slump fueled by Trump-era tariffs
- Las Vegas sees sharp visitor drop as leisure spending wanes