Lang
8/20/25
What was meant as a simple pro-Donald Trump photo posted to social media turned into a public relations headache for Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Tuesday once other users zoomed in on the picture.
Miller-Meeks, whose district includes Iowa City, took to X to post a photo taken at the Sundown Bar & Grill in Williamsburg in which she holds up her bill while writing, “I got to celebrate No Tax on Tips with our wonderful server, she’s thrilled about this provision and excited to keep more of what she earns!” But as users zoomed in on the photo, they noticed the bill was for $18, and Miller-Meeks only tipped just over $3…which is 20%. The tweet had been viewed 7.7 million times as of Tuesday night, including over 700 retweets and 2,100 comments. Most commenters made fun of the amount of the tip, although others made fun of the congresswoman for tipping with coins.
A spokesperson for Miller-Meeks told Iowa’s News Now, “The Congresswoman left a 20% tip, and unlike Democrats, she did not vote to increase taxes on hardworking Iowans.”
Miller-Meeks received just 55% of the straw vote at the Iowa State Fair, with Republican challenger David Pautsch earning 45%.
The tweet can be found here.
