In a heated response, the Trump campaign expressed disappointment after the hospitality union UNITE HERE endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, rejecting Trump's tax-free tips pledge. Campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called union bosses "puppets for the Democrat Party" and accused them of being out of touch with the workers they represent.

The UNITE HERE union, as part of its endorsement, announced plans to mobilize its members to knock on more than 3 million doors in critical swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina, according to a report from ABC News. This move is seen as a significant effort to sway votes towards Harris.

This endorsement and subsequent pledge roll-out by UNITE HERE directly contradict Trump's promises to garner support from restaurant and hotel workers. Trump had previously pitched tax-free tips as part of his overall tax cut strategy. He made this proposal at a rally in Nevada, which is known for its strong presence in the hospitality industry.

Reacting to the union's decision, Gwen Mills, the president of UNITE HERE, dismissed Trump's pledge as a mere political tactic for garnering votes. Mills argued that Harris has a long history of supporting unions, emphasizing her commitment to workers' rights.

The battle for the support of tipped workers has intensified as Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have made a broader appeal to blue-collar workers in the Rust Belt to back the Republican ticket. Vance, in his speech at the Republican National Convention, promised to never forget the struggling communities in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The unexpected twist in support for the Republican ticket came as Teamsters President Sean O'Brien spoke at the same convention and signaled a rare openness to supporting a Republican ticket. This raised speculation about potential shifts in union support during the upcoming presidential election.

Defending Trump's track record with American workers, Leavitt assured that the former president would deliver on his promise to end taxes on tips, allowing service workers to retain more of their hard-earned money. She contrasted this with Harris, who Leavitt accused of contributing to an inflation crisis while serving alongside Joe Biden.

With the tipping point of union endorsements becoming a focal point of the campaign, it remains to be seen how UNITE HERE's endorsement of Kamala Harris will impact the dynamics in critical swing states and among blue-collar workers. Both campaigns are vying for the support of workers who have faced economic challenges and job losses, hoping to secure their allegiance in the upcoming election.