Former President Donald Trump has received a significant endorsement from Ameer Ghalib, the Muslim Democrat mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, in his bid for the presidency. The endorsement marks a surprising shift in support for Trump, particularly from a key Democratic figure in a city with a strong Muslim population.
Breitbart reported that the endorsement of Ghalib, a Yemeni immigrant and leader in Michigan's Arab American community, could represent a critical swing in Arab American votes, potentially undermining Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign.
Ghalib’s endorsement comes at a crucial time in the 2024 presidential race. Hamtramck, where Ghalib serves as mayor, has a population that is reportedly 60% Muslim.
Ghalib, a Democrat by affiliation, has been vocal in his disapproval of the current Democratic leadership.
His efforts were first visible during the Michigan primary, where he led a movement encouraging Muslim Democrats to vote "Uncommitted" rather than support President Joe Biden.
Ghalib’s disillusionment with Biden evolved into a broader movement known as "Abandon Biden," which has now turned into the "Abandon Harris" campaign as the vice president prepares to head the Democratic ticket. The loss of support from influential figures like Ghalib in key battleground states could severely impact Harris’s chances in states like Michigan, where the Arab American vote played a pivotal role in the 2020 election.
Speaking on the shift in political allegiance, Ghalib praised Trump, noting the absence of new wars during his administration as a key factor. “I talked to President Trump about... how it used to be a stronghold for the Democrats, and we always used to vote Democrat. This is not the case anymore here,” Ghalib said. His comments reflect growing discontent among Arab American voters in Michigan, many of whom are reconsidering their political allegiances.
Trump, who met with Ghalib last week in Flint, Michigan, during a campaign stop, took the opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of his foreign policy. "I was very impressed with him," Trump said, acknowledging Ghalib’s admiration for his administration’s handling of global conflicts. “He was a very big fan of the Trump administration because he saw no wars... but there were no wars,” Trump emphasized, crediting his leadership for a more peaceful world stage.
During his interview with Breitbart News, Trump further elaborated on the comparison between his administration and the current state of global affairs. "There was no October 7. There was no Russian attack on Ukraine. He [Ghalib] sees that, and he told me — he saw a world that was at peace. Now, we have a world that’s going to end up in World War 3, and I can stop that. I’m the only one that’s going to stop that.”
This endorsement could have significant implications for Harris’s path to the presidency, particularly in Michigan, a key battleground state.
In the 2020 election, Michigan’s Arab American voters played a decisive role, with more than 100,000 Michigander Arabs voting "Uncommitted" during the Democratic primary. This number nearly mirrored the difference in votes between Biden and Trump in the state during the general election.
Ghalib’s endorsement signals that the "Abandon Harris" movement may further widen that gap, potentially swinging Michigan back into Trump’s column. The Arab American vote in Michigan could now become a decisive factor as Trump seeks to regain ground in the state.
In response to Ghalib’s endorsement, Trump has expressed openness to holding a campaign event in Hamtramck and engaging directly with the Arab American community. "The answer is if the opportunity presents itself, I would do that," Trump said, referring to a potential campaign stop in Hamtramck.
He stressed the importance of addressing the rising political division and tensions among various communities, noting, "It can’t remain the way it is now with the hatred that’s going around."
The shift in support from key Arab American leaders like Ghalib underscores a broader movement within this community that could disrupt the political landscape in Michigan.
With Harris's chances in the state now under threat, Trump's outreach to the Arab American voters may prove crucial in his efforts to reclaim the White House.
