Donald Trump’s mispronunciation of the word “Assyrians” at a rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona gained attention as he referred to them as “Asur-Asians.” The Assyrians, a Christian indigenous group from the Middle East, were showing their support for Trump at the event. With significant communities in Michigan and Arizona, the Assyrians could have an outsized influence in the upcoming election, which is closely contested in swing states.
The Assyrians, who trace their ancestry to ancient Mesopotamia and are descendants of a powerful Middle Eastern empire, have faced centuries of persecution and genocide in their homeland. Many have fled to the United States to escape such atrocities, with a majority residing in Michigan, a battleground state with 38,000 Assyrians. Despite being a small minority, the Assyrians have been working to educate Americans about their history and the challenges they have faced through various advocacy efforts.
Through the Assyrian diaspora, efforts have been made to preserve the memory of the atrocities they have endured, such as the 1915 massacre by the Ottoman Turks, which they seek to have formally recognized as a genocide. Trump’s mispronunciation of the word “Assyrians” at the rally led to increased recognition and awareness of the community. While the reaction within the Assyrian community to Trump’s error was mixed, some appreciated the attention it brought to their cause.
Some Assyrian Americans have been drawn to the GOP due to shared values of religious freedom and a belief in America’s founding principles. Groups like Assyrians for Trump have actively supported the former president’s campaigns, citing their belief in American liberties and the fight for freedom. However, there are also Assyrians who have opposed Trump’s immigration policies, particularly those that restricted refugee resettlement and imposed travel bans on certain Muslim-majority countries.
The Assyrian community’s political influence extends beyond supporting Republican candidates, as Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign also has grassroots support from groups like Chaldeans and Assyrians for Harris Walz. Despite partisan divides within the community, Assyrians in America continue to advocate for recognition of their struggles and seek to ensure their voice is heard in the political arena. Trump’s mispronunciation may have inadvertently brought greater visibility to the Assyrian community and their ongoing efforts to educate others about their history and challenges they have faced.
