Trump’s Peace Promise Wins Over Muslim Voters Nationwide

AFP

Washington: In a surprising outcome, newly elected US President Donald Trump gained substantial support among Muslim voters late in his campaign, following his bold promise to bring peace to the Middle East.

His commitment has sparked celebrations among his supporters, even as his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, maintains a prolonged siege of Gaza and military action in Lebanon.

Preliminary results indicate Trump took first place in Dearborn, Michigan, America’s largest Arab-American enclave, marking a significant shift from 2020, when outgoing President Joe Biden won decisively. This shift comes as the traditionally left-leaning vote was split between Vice President Kamala Harris and the Green Party’s Jill Stein.

Trump’s new supporters expressed optimism. Bill Bazzi, the Lebanese-American mayor of Dearborn Heights, voiced confidence in Trump’s peace promise, despite controversies from Trump’s first term, including a travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries and support for Israeli settlements.

Bazzi, a Marine veteran and Trump campaigner, defended these moves as protective measures against potential threats.

Meanwhile, prominent Yemeni-American activist Samra’a Luqman attributed Harris’ loss to Arab-American discontent with the Biden administration’s unwavering support for Israel, especially in light of recent conflicts.

She noted that her community held the administration accountable for its stance on the Gaza conflict, highlighting a growing rift.

As Trump’s team worked closely with the Arab-American community in Dearborn, many supporters remained hopeful that his administration would prioritize diplomacy.

With advisors such as Lebanese-American Michael Boulos, now a family connection through his marriage to Tiffany Trump, Arab-Americans are looking to Trump to fulfill his promises.