Trump courts divided Arab-American voters in must-win Michigan

On a bright, cool day in Dearborn, Michigan—the largest Arab-majority city in the United States—a crowd gathered outside the Great Commoner cafe, hoping to catch a glimpse of Donald Trump. Addressing a group of Arab-American business leaders inside the restaurant, Trump expressed a simple message: "What we want is peace." This visit, only days before the presidential election, highlighted the former president’s ongoing effort to win over Michigan's significant Arab-American population.

The scene outside, however, showed a more divided picture. Groups of Trump supporters and opponents stood nearby, shouting at each other, illustrating just how split the community in Michigan has become over who should lead the nation, especially given the escalating crisis in the Middle East.

Dearborn, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, has over 200,000 Arab-American residents, making it a key area in Michigan, a state Trump won narrowly over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. This time, the race between Trump and Kamala Harris is close, and both campaigns are vying for every vote. Trump’s team has positioned him as the "candidate of peace" in the Middle East, contrasting Harris as leaning pro-Israel. Billboards across Michigan reinforce this message, a tactic that has swayed some voters.

Trump’s outreach has led to endorsements from the mayors of Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck, both cities with large Muslim communities. Yet, Dearborn’s Mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, declined to meet with Trump, a move that reflects the mixed reception within the community.

For leaders like Abbas Alawieh, a prominent figure in the Uncommitted movement—a group that protests U.S. support for Israel—this shift is concerning. Although he personally plans to back Harris, his group has refrained from endorsing any candidate. Alawieh explained to the BBC that the idea of a “binary choice” has gained traction, with some people feeling they should consider Trump because of his stance on peace.

The Harris campaign, on the other hand, emphasizes her support for the Muslim community. Campaign director Nasrina Bargzie reassured voters that Harris is dedicated to being “a president for all Americans” and is committed to allowing the community to live “free from the hateful policies” of the Trump administration.

Despite dissatisfaction with the current administration’s stance on the Middle East, some community leaders remain cautious about Trump’s intentions. Rexhinaldo Nazarko, head of the American Muslim Engagement and Empowerment Network, voiced concerns, pointing to Trump's “Muslim ban” and his 2017 executive order restricting travel from majority-Muslim countries.

Ultimately, Nazarko and others view this election as an opportunity to protest the Biden-Harris administration's pro-Israel policies. They’ve encouraged Arab-American voters to consider third-party candidates or even abstain from voting as a way to convey their discontent.

Hassan Abdel Salam, founder of the Abandon Harris movement and a former Democrat, urged a gathering at the American Muslim Center in Dearborn to “punish” those in power. He expressed frustration, saying, “Our belief now, even despite having lived under Trump, is that there is no lesser evil.”