Arab Americans in Michigan have shown a dramatic shift in political preferences. They turned away from the Democratic Party in the 2024 presidential election. Many, like Yemeni-American activist Samraa Luqman, made a deliberate choice. They supported Donald Trump rather than let pro-Israel policies in the Democratic Party go unchallenged. Luqman, who voted for Trump, stressed that while his presidency has been harmful to her community, she was willing to endure his policies. She did it for the sake of holding Democrats accountable over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
This decision reflects a broader shift among Arab voters in Michigan. They felt deeply alienated by the Democratic Party’s stance on Gaza. They were also frustrated with military aid to Israel. In the past, Arab Americans had been reliable Democratic supporters. That changed when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris ignored calls for a ceasefire. They also failed to curb the supply of weapons to Israel. For many in Dearborn, a city with a large Arab and Muslim population, the party’s silence on the issue became a major reason. It led to breaking traditional political loyalties.
The 2024 election: a turning point
Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign made a conscious effort to appeal to Arab communities. He especially focused on Detroit and its suburbs. He invited Muslim religious leaders to his rallies. He visited Dearborn and positioned himself as a 'peace' candidate. This outreach resonated with some voters. In heavily Arab precincts in east Dearborn, about 45 percent of the votes went to Trump. Twenty-nine percent went to Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Only 16 percent went to Kamala Harris.
Hussein Dabajeh, a well-known political strategist in the Detroit area, said the community no longer felt compelled by the 'lesser of two evils' strategy. Arab Americans were choosing to withhold support for Harris, even if it meant backing Trump or other candidates. “I could not, with a good heart and conscience, tell someone to vote for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump,” he told Al Jazeera. “The approach no longer works to sway Arab voters.”
Trump's record and Arab disillusionment
Despite initially winning over some Arab voters in 2024, Trump’s presidency quickly caused widespread disappointment. He continued to provide military support to Israel as attacks on Gaza and Lebanon escalated. At the same time, he launched a war against Iran, which led to sharp increases in fuel prices across the country. He also intensified policies targeting Palestinian rights advocates, including efforts to deport noncitizen activists.
Dabajeh noted that Arab Americans are deeply unhappy with Trump’s actions. This includes those who voted for him in 2024. “They hate him,” he said. I don’t think there is a single person I know from the Arab and Muslim community who voted for Trump. That looks at what he’s doing and is happy with it.” Many in the community now feel regret over their choice. Though they also acknowledge that their decision in 2024 was made for a principled reason.
From Trump to El-Sayed: a new political test
As the 2026 election season approaches, Arab Americans in Michigan are once again at a political crossroads. While some are rallying behind Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a former presidential candidate who had supported Harris in 2024, others are keeping their options open. El-Sayed has received backing from many in the community who hope he can represent their concerns more effectively than the party has in recent years.
Amer Zahr, a Dearborn Board of Education trustee and comedian, said the ongoing conflict in Gaza has 'matured' the Arab American community. He believes the crisis forced people to reject traditional political alliances, even if it meant taking a risk. We were his first victims in 2017,” Zahr said. “But the genocide matured us in a way that we finally got to the point where we were willing to tell politicians ‘no.’”
The challenge now for Arab Americans in Michigan is whether they will be able to reclaim political influence without compromising their stance on Palestine. As the community grapples with this decision, it remains to be seen whether they will return to the Democratic Party or continue to seek candidates who are willing to challenge U.S. policies in the Middle East.