A young Muslim leader shocks the political establishment by endorsing Donald Trump as the “candidate of peace,” rejecting the war policies of Kamala Harris and Liz Cheney.
At a Glance
- Karim Elsammak, a young Muslim leader, endorses Trump as the “candidate of peace”
- Elsammak criticizes Harris and Cheney for supporting “endless baseless wars”
- Harris’s alliance with Cheney may alienate Arab-American voters
- Trump gains support among Muslim and Arab-American communities
- Biden-Harris administration’s Middle East policies face growing criticism
Muslim Leader’s Surprising Endorsement
Karim Elsammak, a young Muslim leader and former Republican candidate for the New York State Senate, has publicly endorsed Donald Trump as the “candidate of peace.” The endorsement comes as the Biden-Harris administration faces mounting criticism over its handling of Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly from Arab-American and Muslim voters.
Elsammak’s endorsement highlights a growing trend of support for Trump among Arab and Muslim Americans, particularly in the critical battleground state of Michigan – home to almost a quarter of a million Muslim voters. This shift in allegiance is largely attributed to dissatisfaction with the current administration’s foreign policy and lackluster response to voters’ concerns.
NEW: Young Muslim leader Karim Elsammak says he is voting for Donald Trump, cites Kamala Harris' support of Liz Cheney as a reason.
Whoever thought bringing Liz Cheney on board with the Harris campaign should be fired.
"As an Arab American, I believe that Donald Trump is the… pic.twitter.com/RCBNMdse9w
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 4, 2024
Harris-Cheney Alliance Backfires
Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent collaboration with Liz Cheney, aimed at attracting disillusioned Republicans and suburban voters in battleground states, appears to be backfiring among Arab-American voters. The alliance has revived criticism of Cheney, particularly given her family’s history on Middle Eastern conflicts.
“In this moment, Arab American and Muslim voters are deeply skeptical about Kamala Harris, given her refusal to depart from the Biden administration’s material military and financial support for Israel’s deadly attacks in Gaza and now Lebanon,” Nazita Lajevardi, an associate professor of political science at Michigan State University, told reporters.
Harris and Cheney have appeared at events in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, targeting counties won by Nikki Haley in GOP primaries. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has capitalized on Harris’s association with Cheney to appeal to Arab-American voters. Despite his previous policies against Muslims, including plans to reinstate and expand the travel ban on Muslim countries if re-elected, Trump is gaining ground among these voters.
“As an Arab American, I believe that Donald Trump is the candidate of peace, the choice for all Muslim and Arab American voters in Michigan and beyond,” Karim Elsammak stated.
Trump’s criticism of the Iraq war and his perceived attempts at diplomatic resolutions rather than military solutions during his tenure have resonated with some Muslim voters. This sentiment was echoed at a recent rally in Novi, Michigan, where several Muslim leaders endorsed Trump, citing his promise of peace.
Growing Discontent with Biden-Harris Administration
The Biden-Harris administration’s stance on Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly its support for Israel, has not only alienated many Muslims, but also created unease among young, left-leaning voters and university students. Harris has struggled to balance support for Israel with concern for Gazan civilians and many Michigan voters believe they must send a message to the Democrats regarding Israel.
“This is a moment for Arab Americans, for Muslim Americans—the majority of us. There’s no turning back from genocide. There’s no turning back from massive bunker bombs that decimate and massacre our people.” Dearborn Heights resident Ali Dabaja said.
