The United States is rife with contradictions. This narrative explores one of them: the Arab-Americans who intend to cast their votes for Donald Trump.
He is the individual who claims immigrants are “tainting the nation’s blood,” labels them “terrorists,” and advocates for a “Muslim ban.”
Yet, during my exploration of Michigan, I discovered that they are aligning themselves with him.
This narrative isn’t solely about the conflicts in the Middle East. It transcends the urge to penalize Biden and now Harris. It encompasses far more than just warfare.
In areas such as Dearborn and Hamtramck, it quickly becomes evident that a significant transformation in perspectives is underway, often revolving around a perceived feeling of neglect, albeit with a unique twist.
My expedition commenced at a nearby high school. Visualize the kind of venue you would picture in films, and that’s it.
Red bricks on the exterior, rows of lockers within. The yellow buses, the Stars and Stripes, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
It serves as the quintessential representation of America, yet with an array of diversity that challenges stereotypes, as do the opinions of its inhabitants.
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The Frontier International Academy is located in the center of Hamtramck, the only majority-Muslim city in the United States, and the student body mirrors that demographic.
During a “recess” session involving American Football, first-time voters and second-generation immigrants engage in discussions about politics.
“We don’t know what she is going to offer, we are unsure of her plans. Therefore, I believe it’s a safer option to support Donald Trump,” states 18-year-old Jubran Ali.
Jubran Ali, 18, believes Trump is a ‘safer bet’ compared to Harris
“I am actually polling those around me to ascertain their voting choices, and the majority are supporting Donald Trump,” remarks Edris Alhady, also 18.
Michigan is among the seven battleground states in the nation that could determine the fate of the White House.
Minor shifts toward either side among small groups of voters will influence the national direction.
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In the 2016 election, Trump became the first Republican to secure Michigan since 1988. He prevailed over Hillary Clinton by a margin of fewer than 11,000 votes.
Four years later, in 2020, Joe Biden claimed victory in the state by merely 154,188 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast – a victorious margin of 2.8%.
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Michigan boasts the highest concentration of Arab-Americans in the United States. They constitute a vital voting demographic—one that the Democratic Party may have underestimated.
Amer Ghalib is a member of the Democratic Party, and his office is emblematic of his political affiliations—a photo with President Joe Biden adorns the wall.
However, a significant change has unfolded since that photograph was captured.
On Friday, Mayor Ghalib greeted Donald Trump in the city—a visit that followed his endorsement of the former president just weeks earlier.
Mayor Amer Ghalib, a Democrat who has supported the former president
“Why Trump?” I inquired.
“Well… it stems from two factors: disappointment and optimism. Disappointment regarding the current administration’s approach to both local and global issues, and optimism that a new administration under Trump will adopt a different course of action.”
Our dialogue was enlightening in numerous respects. I arrived in this city anticipating to hear expressions of anger concerning American policies in the Middle East, particularly since the residents here maintain deep-rooted connections to the region.
However, it became increasingly evident that the Arab-American pivot to the right is also a result of a gradual leftward shift by the Democrats.
This matter encompasses the genuine conflict in the Middle East but extends to cultural wars as well.
In the previous year, an effort to raise a pride flag on city property was thwarted by the mayor and his administration.
“There’s pervasive aggression and attempts to impose specific values on the majority within this community,” remarked Mayor Ghalib, “…on educational institutions, on public land, in city hall, and the Democratic Party is not taking action to hinder this shift in dynamics.”
I inquired whether anyone from Kamala Harris’s team had reached out regarding his concerns prior to or following his endorsement of Trump. “No, no,” he responded.
“Does that catch you off guard?”
“They perceive me as a disingenuous Democrat. Throughout my life here, I have consistently voted Democrat.”
Trump’s upcoming visit to this city marks the zenith of groundwork laid by members of Team Trump for several months, signifying the significance they ascribe to this state and demographic.
So, what is the stance regarding Trump’s pro-Israel position? Upon his recent arrival in Detroit, he lauded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Well, I don’t believe there’s anything worse than the current situation,” stated the mayor.
This sentiment resonates here. The belief that no individual could possibly be worse than the Democrats concerning Israel-Gaza, and that domestically—regarding social concerns and the economy—Trump would be preferable for this community.
Travel west out of Hamtramck into the Detroit suburbs and you arrive in Dearborn.
Approximately half the population here is Arab-American, predominantly of Lebanese descent. Over coffee with local environmental advocate Samraa Luqman, our discussion raised alarming concerns for the Harris campaign.
Samraa Luqman, who voted for Clinton in 2016 and wrote in Sanders’s name in 2020
She shares with me that she cast her vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and wrote in Bernie Sanders’s name in 2020. And this year?
“I’m voting for Trump,” Samraa declares. “Why?” I inquire.
“The genocide. To be honest, I disagree with all Republican policies… Nonetheless, I will still support him because one thing I despise more than any of those other policies is genocide… And that reflects the sentiment of an entire community.”
I questioned her on what led her to believe that Trump would be any more beneficial for the Arab cause.
“Trump is an unpredictable figure… will he perform in a manner similar to Kamala, or potentially worse or better? However, I am fully aware of the current Democratic actions, and they plan to persevere in their course.”
This exploration through communities that now feel neglected and voiceless ends for me where it commenced for them—at the historic Ford factory in Detroit, which attracted numerous Middle Eastern immigrants generations ago.
There, I met with the local Yemeni-American Democratic Party caucus leader, who offered a startling conclusion.
“I perceive the damage as substantial. I assure you, this phenomenon extends beyond Michigan. This is a nationwide occurrence,” he stated.
“I am quite concerned,” said Abdulhakim Alsadeh.
Abdulhakim Alsadeh
I asked him whether he believes the Democratic Party has mishandled this campaign.
“Yes, I genuinely believe so,” he affirmed. “The Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, reached out to the Yemeni-American community. They conversed with him. They engaged with him.”
“Everyone is apprehensive,” he remarked.
It won’t require many to influence this state and streamline the route to the White House.
Here, amid all the contradictions, many are shifting towards Trump.
