In a shocking political shift, Donald Trump won Dearborn, Michigan, in the 2024 presidential election, a city traditionally known for its strong Democratic leanings and sizable Arab American population. Nearly half of the 110,000 residents in Dearborn are of Arab descent, and this was the first time since 2000 that a Republican presidential candidate, Trump, won the city. His victory is a stark contrast to the results of the previous election in 2020, where Joe Biden claimed victory by a large margin.
This surprising change can be largely attributed to the complex dynamics surrounding the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war. Many Arab Americans in Dearborn, particularly those critical of U.S. foreign policy in Gaza, found themselves disillusioned with Vice President Kamala Harris, who received 2,500 fewer votes than Trump. Her firm support for Israel, despite the ongoing conflict, led to backlash in local communities that had once been solid Democratic strongholds.
Suehaila Amen, a long-time Democrat from Dearborn, said she could not back either of the two main candidates. "When you have two evils running, what are you left with?" she remarked. While she and others expressed concerns about Trump’s rhetoric and actions, such as his controversial travel ban on Muslim-majority countries, many were swayed by his outreach during the campaign. His visit to a Lebanese-owned restaurant in Dearborn just days before the election, where he engaged directly with residents, made a notable impact.
Despite her reservations, Amen acknowledged the growing discontent with Harris, and some residents expressed relief that Trump had at least attempted to connect with them. “He came up to Dearborn, he spoke with residents... he reached out and tried to listen,” said Samia Hamid, a local resident.
The final week of the campaign saw a pivotal shift in voter sentiment. Bill Clinton’s comments at a rally, downplaying Hamas’s goals and defending Israel's right to defend itself, angered many in the Arab American community. Some voters, like Amin Hashmi, who had always been a "die-hard Democrat," switched their votes to Trump after months of frustration with Harris’s handling of the crisis.
Trump’s promises, including his vow to end the Middle East violence, resonated strongly with the Arab American community. While his initial term was marked by controversy over his travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries, voters are now watching to see whether he will follow through on his pledges for peace in the region.
Dearborn’s election results indicate that Trump’s appeal among Arab Americans could be significant, though he ultimately did not win the White House through this community's support. Still, his gains in Michigan, a crucial swing state, suggest that his efforts to connect with voters on key issues have made a lasting impact.
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