Trump’s Failed Bid to Promote Arab American Ally Exposes Strains in His Coalition

When Donald Trump won his comeback campaign, he credited the mayor of a small Detroit suburb with helping him make inroads with Michigan’s Arab American community. As a reward, he nominated Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, to serve as U.S. ambassador to Kuwait.

But Ghalib never made it to the oil-rich Gulf nation. His nomination stalled amid opposition from fellow Republicans, leaving him still in Hamtramck, a city of about 30,000 residents.

It remains unclear whether the White House will resubmit his name. Ghalib says it no longer matters to him.

“I’m not interested in it anymore,” he said.

The collapse of his nomination has worsened tensions between Republicans and Arab American voters, many of whom supported Trump in 2024 after becoming frustrated with Democratic President Joe Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza. While Trump won their backing in that election, community leaders now warn that this support may not carry over to the 2026 midterms and beyond.

“It’s hard for me to convince the community to vote Republican again in 2026 and 2028 in this kind of atmosphere,” said Bishara Bahbah, chairman of Arab Americans for Trump.

Opposition on Capitol Hill

At his final campaign rally before Election Day, Trump warmly embraced Ghalib on stage in Michigan, calling him “one of the greatest men in your state.” The moment marked a sharp contrast from Trump’s 2016 campaign, when he promised to ban Muslims from entering the country.

In 2024, Trump not only won Michigan but also earned strong Arab American support, including in Dearborn, where nearly half the population is of Arab descent.

However, Ghalib’s nomination faced intense scrutiny in Washington.

“Your long-standing views are directly contrary to the views and positions of President Trump and the United States,” Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said during a Senate hearing. “I’m not going to be able to support your confirmation.”

Lawmakers from both parties questioned Ghalib about past statements and social media activity. Some posts were labeled antisemitic, including a Facebook comment comparing Jewish people to monkeys. Ghalib said he had a habit of “liking” many comments without endorsing them and stressed that he rejected the sentiment.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire asked about his past claim that reports of sexual violence during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack were false. Ghalib said he condemned all abuses but had not personally seen evidence.

He was also criticized for previously describing former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as a martyr.

Although no formal vote followed the hearing, Republican opposition effectively doomed the nomination.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration, saying Trump “has incredible relationships with Arab leaders” and continues to deliver on promises by lowering inflation, securing borders, and promoting peace.

‘Widespread Disappointment’

Another Michigan mayor, Bill Bazzi of Dearborn Heights, who also helped Trump connect with Arab American voters, had better fortune. He was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Tunisia in October.

Still, many community leaders feel sidelined after being courted during the campaign.

Bahbah said he recently spent more than a week in Michigan sensing “widespread disappointment.”

“Many promises haven’t been fulfilled,” he said. “Immigration and visas are rattling the community. ICE is rattling people, even citizens.”

Rising grocery prices have added to frustrations, he said.

Several leaders stressed that Trump’s 2024 success stemmed more from anger at Biden than enthusiasm for Republicans.

The realities of Trump’s second term have been more complicated than expected. A Gaza ceasefire deal has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing it as one-sided. Immigration enforcement has also had a heavy impact.

“People are terrorized,” Bahbah said. “They’re afraid. This is not what the community voted for.”

A Splintering Coalition

Ghalib said he remains loyal to Trump and does not blame the president.

“He was supportive,” he said. “But those who opposed me for nonsense reasons upset the community. They’ll have to work hard to fix this.”

His remarks highlight the fragility of the coalition Trump built in 2024, which also included gains among Black and Latino voters.

With dissatisfaction growing, maintaining that support may prove difficult.

Osama Siblani, editor of The Arab American News in Dearborn, believes Trump’s success will not be repeated.

“He has no support in this community now, with or without Ghalib,” Siblani said.