Hamtramck, Michigan, Mayor Amer Ghalib is rethinking his political allegiance after a private meeting with former President Donald Trump.
Ghalib's productive discussion with Trump could signify a shift among Arab American voters, traditionally Democratic in voting patterns, as frustration with the Biden administration grows, as Breitbart reports.
Ghalib, who leads a community of Arab Americans and Muslims in Hamtramck, Michigan, met with Trump in Flint last week. The meeting, which Ghalib described as "very productive," lasted for about 20 minutes and opened a channel of communication between the mayor and the former president. The Arab American community in Wayne County, long seen as a Democratic stronghold, is increasingly critical of President Joe Biden’s handling of foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.
The mayor shared that many Arab American and Muslim residents in cities like Hamtramck and Dearborn are dissatisfied with Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to Ghalib, more than 100,000 people in Michigan cast “uncommitted” votes during the Democratic primary, a move meant to protest the administration’s stance on the war. This protest could have a significant impact on the upcoming election.
In addition to the discontent over U.S. foreign policy, economic concerns are also playing a role in the shifting political landscape of Wayne County. Ghalib, reflecting on his community’s frustration, explained that while Biden won Michigan in 2020 by a margin of over 150,000 votes, more than 100,000 votes were cast as uncommitted in protest of the administration's policies.
"I wouldn’t claim that I represent all these people," Ghalib said, "but I know a major portion of the Arab American community are happy with my meeting with Trump." He emphasized that his constituents are looking for a change, particularly in U.S. foreign and economic policies, and that the former president offers a potential alternative.
During the meeting, Ghalib and Trump discussed the changing political dynamics of Wayne County. The mayor noted that his city, once reliably Democratic, no longer feels an obligation to support the party. Trump's promise to "end the chaos" in the Middle East resonated with many in the Arab American community, Ghalib said.
Ghalib has already begun taking steps to further involve his community in the Republican movement. He discussed the possibility of opening a Trump 47 office in Hamtramck to promote voter registration and absentee ballot requests. Ghalib also extended an invitation to Trump to hold a rally in Hamtramck, highlighting growing support for the former president.
The response to Ghalib’s meeting with Trump has been overwhelmingly positive within his community. "I posted about President Trump, and 95% of the comments and phone calls I received were supportive," he said. The mayor believes that this support, coupled with the recent political shifts in Wayne County, could make a significant difference in the upcoming election.
Ghalib added that the "uncommitted" movement, along with campaigns like "Abandon Harris," could be pivotal in determining Michigan’s outcome in 2024. With Michigan considered a key battleground state, even a small shift in the Arab American vote could have a substantial impact on the results.
In 2016, Trump won Michigan by just 10,704 votes. Ghalib believes that if even a portion of the "uncommitted" votes from the Democratic Party primary were to swing Republican in 2024, it could tip the scales in Trump's favor. "If 50% of those people decided to vote for Trump," Ghalib explained, "that would be a major change and a big support for President Trump."
The meeting with Trump came after Ghalib refused multiple opportunities to meet with President Biden, citing frustrations with both foreign and domestic policies. "We refused to meet President Biden a couple of times," Ghalib stated, noting that his stance remains unchanged because there has been no shift in policy.
While Ghalib acknowledged that he does not speak for every Arab American voter, he emphasized that many in his community are ready for change. Whether or not this change involves Trump remains to be seen, but the mayor’s meeting with the former president could pave the way for an endorsement.
