When Donald Trump took the stage on the morning of November 6 to deliver his victory speech, many of the faces beside him were familiar, but one stood out: Michael Boulos, the newly minted husband of Trump’s youngest daughter, Tiffany Trump, and the son of Lebanese billionaire Massad Boulos, a prominent adviser on Middle Eastern affairs. While his presence may have gone unnoticed by some, for Arab Americans, it marked a significant moment in the community’s growing political influence.
Yahya Basha, a Syrian American doctor and businessman, saw Trump’s engagement with figures like Boulos as a breakthrough. "I felt that they were serious and wanted to do business and communicate and partner on the issues," said Basha, reflecting on his meeting with Trump and Boulos during a campaign visit to Michigan. For many Arab Americans, including those in Michigan’s Chaldean community, Trump's outreach has represented a shift in political engagement, despite his administration's controversial stance on issues like immigration and its support for Israel.
Trump’s outreach to Arab Americans has largely focused on Christian elements within the community. Key figures such as Boulos, lawyer Alina Habba (of Iraqi descent), and former cabinet members like Mark Esper and Alex Azar, who both have Lebanese roots, have been central to this outreach. This marks a sharp contrast to the Democratic Party’s handling of Arab American voices, which some in the community feel has often sidelined them.
For individuals like Basha, who historically supported Democrats, the shift toward Trump came after feeling alienated by the Democratic Party, especially after what he perceived as a lack of attention to Arab American issues. His decision to support Trump in the 2024 election was partly due to frustrations with the Democrats’ approach to Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly the U.S. support for Israel during its military actions in Gaza.
The Trump administration has also seen the rise of Arab Americans in political office, with figures like Yemeni American mayor Amer Ghalib endorsing Trump and others such as Abe Hamadeh, a Syrian American lawyer, winning elections with Trump’s backing. These successes signal a growing trend of Arab Americans moving toward the Republican Party, driven by disillusionment with the Democrats and resonance with the conservative values on issues like family and foreign policy.
Despite concerns over Trump’s past policies, such as the Muslim travel ban and his administration's strong support for Israel, many Arab Americans feel that engaging in the political process under his leadership offers more influence than staying on the sidelines. “It’s better to be at the table than outside the door,” Basha said, signaling his commitment to shaping Arab American representation in national conversations.
This political shift among Arab Americans highlights a complex landscape where community members, often overlooked, are becoming increasingly involved in U.S. politics, reflecting broader changes in the relationship between Middle Eastern communities and American politics.
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