In the ‘capital of Arab America’, voters plan to punish Harris for Gaza, Lebanon wars

Leela JACINTO

3 November 2024 at 5:51 am·2-min read

A Trump supporter displays his message in Dearborn, Michigan, on November 1, 2024.

Dearborn, Michigan, with its large Arab American population, was once considered a reliably Democratic city. But anger over the current administration's handling of Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon have led many locals to spurn Kamala Harris in the ballots. In a battleground state in a tight presidential race, the disenchantment could be decisive.

Shortly after 1pm on Friday, a burly, bearded young man joined the handful of people gathered outside The Great Commoner restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan.

His message, from head-to-toe, was consistent. Wearing a “Trump 2024” cap and T-shirt, he posed for photographs with a banner reiterating his support for Republican candidate Donald Trump.

“My name is Hassan. I’m from Bint Jbeil,” he said, referring to a town in southern Lebanon nearly 6,000 miles away from Dearborn.

The message was loud, clear – and menacingly terse. “Trump 2024! I don’t have no more comment, that’s all I’m going to say. Trump 2024! And I’m Muslim so no one can tell me nothing,” he proclaimed.

When asked why Trump had snagged his vote, the Dearborn resident from Bint Jbeil circled back to the loop. “Because I support Trump. That’s all I’m going to say,” he repeated. “I don’t talk politics. I just support Trump.”

Ahead of the final weekend before Election Day, November 5, Trump made a brief appearance at The Grand Commoner, an iconic eatery owned by a Lebanese American family, where he met a small gathering of Arab American invitees.

Elabed may be dismayed, but she’s not surprised. And she’s pretty sure of who to blame.

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