In Michigan, Donald Trump’s allies are working to attract Arab American voters who are dissatisfied with President Joe Biden’s support for Israel. Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman, leading the effort is utilizing his connections in the Arab American community to meet with its leaders in Michigan. However, Trump’s past actions, such as the ban on immigration from certain Muslim-majority countries, continue to offend many Arab Americans. Additionally, Trump’s criticism of Biden for not being a strong enough supporter of Israel has sparked mixed reactions within the community.
Boulos, who is usually overseas managing a Nigerian-based conglomerate, started his involvement in U.S. politics in 2019 when his son Michael started dating Tiffany Trump. He played a minor role in Arab American outreach before the 2020 election, but his involvement has significantly expanded this year as Trump allies seek to exploit divisions within the Democratic base. Boulos is collaborating with an organization called Arab Americans for Trump, which has been active in Arizona and Michigan. This effort includes meetings with Arab American activists in metro Detroit and individual meetings with prominent community leaders.
Despite these outreach efforts, there is skepticism about the impact of Trump’s candidacy on Arab Americans. Many community members are questioning the lack of tangible benefits or promises being offered by Trump’s team to appeal to this demographic. Some believe that Boulos has been unsuccessful in convincing people to support Trump due to the absence of substantial proposals or policies that directly benefit the Arab American community. The electoral impact of these efforts is still uncertain, as both major parties continue to vie for the Arab American vote in Michigan, a state with a significant Arab American population.
Michigan plays a crucial role in presidential elections, with its sizable Arab American community being a focus for both Republicans and Democrats. In 2016, Trump won Michigan by a narrow margin, and Biden reclaimed the state in 2020 with a larger vote margin. The state’s significant Arab American population, totaling over 310,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, is a key demographic that could sway election outcomes. Trump’s connections to Boulos and the broader outreach to Arab American voters reflect the importance of appealing to this community in Michigan’s political landscape.
Boulos’s relationship with Trump adds another family member to the former president’s political circle. Trump has a history of appointing relatives to key roles in his campaigns and administration. Boulos describes Trump as a family friend, but emphasizes that his outreach efforts are more focused on personal connections rather than official policy promises. While some attendees of the meetings appreciate the direct connection to Trump, others demand concrete policy commitments from policymakers. The role of family members in shaping political decisions is under scrutiny, with attendees seeking assurances on future policy direction. The verdict on the effectiveness of Trump’s Arab American outreach efforts remains unclear, as the community weighs various factors in deciding their political allegiance.
