'Evangelicals For Trump' Event In Las Vegas Draws Hundreds Despite COVID-19 Directives
A Las Vegas hotel received a civil penalty and a $250 fine this week after hosting a faith-based campaign event for President Donald Trump that violated the city’s COVID-19 social gathering restrictions.
More than 500 people attended Thursday’s “Evangelicals for Trump” event at the Ahern Hotel and Convention Center, which was headlined by the president’s pastor and spiritual adviser, Paula White.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, attendees were required to wear masks, and their temperatures were checked upon arrival. Signs urged anyone who felt ill to go home.
A short video posted to Twitter by Faith and Freedom Coalition founder Ralph Reed showed a “packed house” taking in a musical performance in the Ahern Hotel’s lobby.
Packed house at #EvangelicalsForTrump prayer & praise event in Las Vegas. NV Governor banned church services but casinos can operate at 50% capacity. So we are praying in a casino. pic.twitter.com/fP4xE3lPAb
— Ralph Reed (@ralphreed) August 7, 2020
City and state officials reportedly urged organizers not to move forward with the event, as doing so would violate Gov. Steve Sisolak’s coronavirus restrictions on gatherings of more than 50 people.
The Las Vegas City Council expressed those concerns in a Thursday letter to the Ahern Hotel’s president and general manager, Keith Wright. A copy of the letter that appeared on Fox affiliate WVVU-TV’s website stated that the event would be “in violation of the governor’s current directive for public and private gatherings” and, as such, “may result in civil fines, license suspensions, and/or denial of your pending permanent licenses.”
Given that the Ahern lobby’s maximum capacity is more than 1,600, the Trump campaign has maintained that the event fell within the 50% operating directive for casinos and restaurants and that it not subjected to the 50-person cap on churches and houses of worship.
