LANSING, Mich. — Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Dearborn, Michigan, known as the largest Arab-majority city in the United States, on Friday. This announcement came from a local business owner who emphasized that Trump should issue a call for peace in Lebanon before engaging with the community.
Dearborn, part of the Metro Detroit area, holds the highest concentration of Arab Americans in the country, with many residing in the city. President Joe Biden previously won Dearborn with a significant margin of 3-to-1. The region has recently been under political tension, particularly concerning dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Vice President Kamala Harris has been working with local figures to alleviate community stress, but Trump’s visit will mark the first for a major candidate in this election cycle, according to local community leader Osama Siblani. Earlier this year, Harris met with Abdullah Hammoud, the Democratic mayor of Dearborn, though their conversation occurred away from the city.
Sam Abbas, owner of The Great Commoner restaurant in Dearborn, revealed that Trump would be visiting his establishment. Abbas expressed hopes that Trump would address the need to end the violence and promote peace in the Middle East. “I’m not here to get political or to sway votes; my concern is for our family suffering due to this conflict. We just want the fighting to stop,” said Abbas.
Following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, Israel expanded its military operations in Gaza, which has resulted in a tragic death toll of at least 43,000 according to Gaza’s health ministry. This number includes both combatants and civilians, though distinctions are not made. The situation escalated, leading to Israel’s recent invasions aimed at curtailing Hezbollah’s actions from Lebanon, further complicating the regional conflict.
The Trump campaign did not comment on his upcoming visit. This comes after a recent rally in Michigan where Trump featured local Muslim individuals on stage, and he has received positive endorsements from two mayors of cities with significant Muslim populations.
Despite the endorsements, many local Democratic leaders remain skeptical of Trump, highlighting his previous proposal for a total ban on Muslim immigration and his restrictive travel policies impacting individuals from Muslim-majority nations. Some in the community are wary of Trump possibly advocating for more aggressive actions by Israel towards neighboring countries.
Amid concerns that loyal Democratic supporters could turn to Trump or consider third-party candidates like Jill Stein, there is apprehension that some may not vote at all in the pivotal battleground state of Michigan.
A few weeks prior to the visit, Abbas shared that Trump’s associates reached out about the event. He expressed the need for a definitive statement from Trump showing genuine intentions to help resolve the conflict and assist in rebuilding Lebanon. This statement was made by Trump on social media, where he articulated a desire to alleviate suffering in Lebanon and ensure equal partnerships among Lebanese communities.
“After witnessing Trump’s commitment to peace, I agreed to host him,” said Abbas, anticipating about 100 attendees from the local area at the event. “He’s trying to demonstrate that he is listening and willing to work towards peace, which is what we desperately need right now.”