Trump’s Arab American allies in Michigan are jumping ship. Mike Rogers could pay the price.
The messy Senate race in Michigan has laid bare Republicans’ floundering support from the Arab American community, which boosted Donald Trump in 2024.
In the days leading up to the 2024 election, Donald Trump declared that the Muslim population in Dearborn, Michigan, were supporting him. However, now, the Arab American community there is distancing themselves from Trump and the GOP. This shift is particularly concerning for former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, who was counting on their support.
The community's dissatisfaction with the ongoing war in Iran and the slow peace process in Gaza is a key factor in this shift. Trump's perceived broken promises, particularly regarding ending the wars, have led to a significant loss of support. This could have serious consequences for the GOP's chances in the Senate race, as Michigan has the highest concentration of Arab Americans in the country.
The situation is further complicated by the GOP's attacks on Muslim Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, which many in the Arab American community view as Islamophobic and racist. El-Sayed, who is himself a Muslim, has condemned antisemitism and apologized for remarks that some deemed problematic, which has helped retain some support from the Arab American community.
The shift in sentiment among Arab American voters could significantly impact the outcome of the election, as both Arab Americans and Jewish voters are crucial in close races in Michigan.
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