The mayor of the only Muslim-majority city in the United States, Amer Ghalib, has endorsed former President Donald Trump for the upcoming presidential election. Leading the city of Hamtramck in the crucial state of Michigan, Ghalib said on Sunday that despite some disagreements with the Republican candidate on certain issues, he believes Trump is a man of principles and the right choice.
In a Facebook post, Ghalib stated, "Donald Trump and I do not agree on every issue, but I know he is a man of principles." He added that whether or not Trump wins the election or becomes president, he feels that Trump is the right choice for this critical time. Ghalib emphasized, "Now the journey must begin; this is just the start."
Shortly after this announcement, Trump posted a screenshot of Ghalib's support on his Truth Social platform.
Who is Amer Ghalib?
Hamtramck boasts a population of about 28,000. The city became famous in 2021 for being the first in America to choose an all-Muslim City Council and a Muslim Mayor. Ghalib immigrated from Yemen to the USA at the age of 17. Less than a week after meeting the Republican candidate at a town hall in Flint, Michigan, Ghalib offered his support to Trump.
Last week, Ghalib told Detroit News, "Both discussed concerns of Arab and Muslim Americans, and Trump asked for his support." Michigan is one of the seven key swing states expected to determine the outcome of the contest between Trump and his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, in November.
What do the Opinion Polls Say?
According to a report from Al Jazeera, opinion polls indicate a close race between Trump and Harris on a national level and in battlegrounds like Michigan. A survey by The New York Times shows Harris leading Trump 50% to 47% in Michigan.
Trump won Michigan in the 2016 election against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, becoming the first Republican to win the state since George H.W. Bush in 1988. President Joe Biden turned the state back to Democrats in 2020, defeating Trump by about 150,000 votes.
Muslim Americans are Angry with Democrats
The Biden administration's support for Israel in the war on Gaza has caused anger among Muslim Americans, which poses a concern for Democrats. An August survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations shows that only 12% of Muslim voters in Michigan support Harris, 18% support Trump, and 40% support Jill Stein of the Green Party.
On Thursday, a grassroots campaign, the 'Uncommitted National Movement,' announced that it would not support Kamala Harris, as her team failed to meet the September 15 deadline to respond to a request for a meeting with families of Palestinians killed in Gaza.
