DEARBORN, Mich. — Residents of the United States’ largest Arab American enclave have been vocal about the intense political climate surrounding the Middle East during the 2024 presidential race. However, local leaders in Dearborn, Michigan, exhibited caution following President Donald Trump’s surprising announcement on Tuesday regarding Palestinians in Gaza. Trump proposed the idea of relocating Palestinians and establishing a U.S. takeover in the region, raising eyebrows among many community members.
“There’s a sense of taking a step back. It’s premature to draw any conclusions right now, but the events of the past few weeks have been astonishing,” stated Imad Hamad, who is the executive director of the American Human Rights Council based in Dearborn. He added, “A number of individuals have voiced concerns about their voting choice, suggesting that perhaps backing Trump was a misstep. This has emphasized the importance of the upcoming 2026 elections.”
Up until now, the harsh criticism directed toward Democrats—which some believe contributed to Vice President Kamala Harris losing in Michigan in November—has not diminished. However, many are grappling with the bold plan Trump articulated on Tuesday, envisioning Gaza as the “Riviera of the Middle East” while hinting at potential U.S. military involvement.
The day after Trump’s remarks, his Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to clarify that Trump did not intend for a permanent resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. They explained he was only suggesting a temporary relocation of around 1.8 million Gazans to facilitate reconstruction efforts. Nonetheless, even this adjusted proposal has met significant backlash across the Arab world.
Currently, while mass demonstrations in response to Trump’s statements have not been organized in the Detroit vicinity, community leaders, many of whom withheld their endorsement from Harris while also not supporting Trump, were clear in their dissent. U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress who represents Dearborn, labeled Trump’s remarks as “extreme rhetoric,” insisting, “Palestinians aren’t going anywhere.” Meanwhile, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud characterized Trump’s statements as “another episode of the continuing genocide.”
Trump’s recent electoral success in Dearborn marked the first time a Republican presidential candidate had won the area in over two decades. His victory can be attributed to his distinct approach, including a visit to the Detroit suburb on November 1, where he promised to foster “peace in the Middle East” during a gathering at a local eatery.
Faye Nemer, the founder of the Middle Eastern North African American Chamber of Commerce located in Dearborn, welcomed Trump during his November engagement but expressed concerns regarding his statements about the region. “In just two weeks in office, he has made some alarming comments,” she noted.
Nemer suggested that these remarks could be a “tactic for negotiation” and called upon Trump to maintain support for a two-state solution. “He has previously indicated his willingness to support that if it aligns with Palestinian interests, and we’re urging him to stay true to those principles,” Nemer added.
As the community processes Trump’s statements, some supporters are starting to distance themselves from him. Lebanese American Rola Makki, vice chair of outreach for the Michigan Republican Party, remarked that despite her previous backing of Trump, “I disagree with his latest position on Gaza,” advocating instead for a more hands-off, diplomatic approach to the Middle East, a tactic she believed was more effective during Trump’s prior presidency.
Moreover, a group that once called itself Arab Americans for Trump and was instrumental in promoting Trump’s outreach efforts within the Arab American community has recently rebranded itself as Arab Americans for Peace. They released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction with Trump’s Gaza takeover suggestion and criticized him for failing to engage with essential Arab leaders, including the Palestinian president.
Despite this backlash, several of Trump’s staunch Arab American campaign supporters remain silent. Mayors Amer Ghalib of Hamtramck and Bill Bazzi of Dearborn Heights, both of whom are Democrats and endorsed Trump while appearing alongside him publicly, have not responded to requests for comments regarding their stance on the recent developments.
