Ahern fined for Covid-19 violations during Trump rally
22 September 2020
The City of Henderson, NV fined Xtreme Manufacturing $3,000 for violating Covid-19 requirements during a Trump rally on Sept. 13.
This follows a previous $10,000 fine against the Ahern Hotel and Convention Center for breaking Covid-19 guidelines during an “Evangelical’s for Trump” event that was held in August.
Xtreme Manufacturing and the Ahern Hotel are owned by Nevada businessman Don Ahern, who also owns Snorkel and Ahern Rentals.
According to reports, the City of Henderson fined Xtreme because it violated six Covid-19 emergency directives, including hosting gatherings of more than 50 people. The Nevada Republican Party chair estimated roughly 5,500 people attended the Trump rally on Sept. 13.
Ahern is appealing the fines.
At a press conference on Sept. 14, Ahern made the following statement:
“As I mentioned last night, my family came to this great state in the 1800s and landed in the Northern Nevada town of Fallon. I, myself, was born and raised right here in Las Vegas, and I’m a Nevadan through and through. I am also a proud American and believe that it is my patriotic duty to do what is right for our country, and what is right is supporting our great President, Donald J. Trump.
“The decisions we make and actions we take are always with specific goals in mind. My goal was to continue the great American traditions of the right to assemble, and to free speech, which is no different than the thousands that are allowed to assemble at gaming tables, mask-less pool parties and protests across the state.
“I hope that we can come to an end of this activity now that our President has come and gone. This is all I have to say today, and I want to thank you for being here. We understand that certain agencies and cities have a job to do. They are possibly being directed, but we respect everyone’s position in this situation.”