By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Donald Trump won Dearborn and Hamtramck, two cities with high Arab American populations, likely due to anger within these communities over the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza and support for Israel. Trump campaigned heavily in these cities, focusing on economic issues and promising to bring peace to the Middle East. While Trump saw substantial gains in both cities compared to 2020, Harris still won Hamtramck, a city with a high percentage of immigrants. This election underscores the influence of foreign policy and economic concerns on Arab American and Muslim voters in the United States.
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The news that Donald Trump had won Dearborn, Michigan, the largest Arab American city in the United States, amidst anger over the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, sparked a wave of disbelief and frustration online. Many couldn’t understand how a city with such a large Arab American population could vote for a candidate who had repeatedly made Islamophobic remarks and championed policies that were perceived as hostile towards Muslims. There was a feeling that this was a “leopard ate my face” moment, a situation where people who voted for a candidate based on a single issue were now going to face the consequences of their actions.
Many questioned the rationale behind the vote, arguing that Trump’s staunch support for Israel and his proposed Muslim ban should have been enough to deter Arab American voters. They pointed out that Trump’s victory would likely lead to a more aggressive Israeli policy in the region, potentially exacerbating the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. The anger towards these voters was palpable, with many accusing them of being “stupid” and “moronic” for voting against their own interests. They were painted as naive, believing that Trump would somehow improve their lives, despite his history of divisive rhetoric and policies.
There was a sense of resigned disappointment, with some feeling that this election was a turning point, a moment where the country had irrevocably diverged down a darker path. The blame for this shift was attributed to a number of factors, including the normalization of Trump’s rhetoric by the media, the double standard applied to him compared to his opponent, and the proliferation of foreign interference and misinformation. The Democratic Party also came under fire, accused of failing to effectively communicate its message and appeal to a wider range of voters.
The situation was particularly disheartening for those who supported Palestinian rights, as they saw Trump’s victory as a validation of Israel’s actions and a green light for further aggression in the region. Many felt that Trump’s victory was a direct result of a failure to mobilize and engage with the Arab American community, despite their significant numbers. They felt that the Arab American community had been betrayed by their own, and that they would now be forced to live with the consequences of Trump’s policies, including a potential escalation of violence in Gaza and the implementation of a Muslim ban.
The anger and frustration expressed in the comments revealed a deep sense of disillusionment and a growing chasm within the country. The belief that voting for the “good guys” every two years wasn’t enough to achieve meaningful change was prevalent, and the feeling that the country was on a collision course with disaster was palpable. Many saw Trump’s victory as a confirmation of their fears, and the future looked bleak.