Arab American Activists Meet with Trump Allies in Michigan Amid Criticism of Biden’s Response to Israel-Hamas Conflict
Arab American Activists Meet with Trump Allies in Michigan Amid Criticism of Biden’s Response to Israel-Hamas Conflict
In a room filled with Arab American activists from across the country, tensions ran high as a well-known adviser to former President Donald Trump, Richard Grenell, faced tough questions about what Trump would have done differently in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The meeting, held in Lansing, Michigan, marked the beginning of increased outreach by Trump allies in the swing state, where key parts of President Joe Biden’s coalition are angry over Israel’s offensive following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.
Grenell, Trump’s former ambassador to Germany, highlighted Trump’s governing record and claimed that other countries’ fear of him decreased global conflict. However, some attendees were left dissatisfied as Grenell failed to provide specific policy changes they were hoping to hear. Despite the outreach efforts, many Arab Americans remain hesitant to switch their support from Biden to Trump due to concerns over Trump’s past policies, including the ban on immigration from several majority Muslim countries.
Khaled Saffuri, an Arab American political activist in attendance, expressed appreciation for the outreach but noted the challenges in convincing the community to support Trump. The meeting also featured Michael Boulos, the husband of Trump’s daughter Tiffany, and his father, Massad Boulos, a wealthy Lebanese businessman, as well as Palestinian American UFC fighter Belal Muhammad.
While some attendees already support Trump, others were seeking clarity on his policies. Yahya Basha, a Michigan doctor present at the meeting, highlighted the importance of hearing specific policy changes from Trump’s surrogates. Grenell faced questions about the travel ban on majority Muslim countries and remarks made by Jared Kushner regarding Gaza, but attendees felt that these issues were not adequately addressed.
Despite the mixed reactions from attendees, Massad Boulos emphasized the need for Arab Americans to organize and mobilize ahead of the November election. Bishara Bahbah, chairman of Arab Americans for Trump, confirmed that the meeting in Michigan was just the beginning of a series of larger gatherings between Trump allies and Arab American leaders.
The meeting comes at a time when Arab Americans are expressing frustration with Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with calls for a permanent ceasefire and the cutting of aid to Israel. The electoral importance of Metro Detroit, home to one of the largest Arab American populations in the country, has made it a focal point of pushback against Biden’s handling of the situation.
As tensions continue to rise, various groups, including young voters, are joining the conversation, with protests on college campuses and a movement to choose “uncommitted” as a protest in Democratic primaries. The ongoing dialogue between Arab American activists and political figures highlights the complexities of navigating the intersection of foreign policy, domestic politics, and community engagement in the midst of a global crisis.
