Arab Americans Will Vote Their Consciences
Whom Shall I Vote For? That is the question American Arabs are asking and answering today.
No American candidate for the presidency should ever take the vote of any demographic group for granted, especially when the families and friends of that group overseas are under the threat of being killed by U.S.-supplied weapons. However, it’s not easy to determine who the majority of Arab Americans will support on November 5.
The Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump (78), is rolling the dice in hopes of reclaiming the White House. On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris (60) is making her case that she can connect with the aspirations of most Americans, Arab Americans in particular. Both sides have a fight on their hands.
Arab Americans Feel Betrayed by the Democratic Party
Trump’s recent rally in Michigan was an attempt to win over the majority of Arab American voters. Billboards lining Michigan highways and campaign visits highlight Trump’s promise to “stand for peace” in the Middle East while casting Harris as one-sided and unsympathetic to Arab American interests.
However, Trump has not publicly announced a strategy for ending the war through a ceasefire if elected. In fact, he reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Do what you have to do,” signaling support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. On the other hand, many Arab Americans are frustrated by what they see as insincerity from Vice President Kamala Harris on issues that matter to them.
Views from Arab American Voters
A young Lebanese American voter from Tampa, Florida, Pierre Mokhtar, 26, shared his views on the election and who he’s voting for.
Mokhtar said, “The first time I ever voted was in 2016. I voted for Donald Trump. My intention is to vote for him again this time. He appeals to me the most, but I’m coming from a nuanced point of view. Many Arab Americans see Trump’s faults. One of them is his communication style.”
Mokhtar continued to explain his admiration for Trump: “He comes from outside the political class. There are pros and cons. The downside is that he doesn’t know how to work the political process properly. But the positive is he hasn’t been corrupted by the influence and time it takes to climb the political ladder.”
Many younger voters are pulling back from traditional politics and media, seeing them as relics that don’t serve their interests today. Trump’s recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast earned him the host’s endorsement, resonating with some younger voters.
Other Motivations for Why Trump Appeals to Young Voters
Data reveals that some of Trump’s highest approval ratings come from young men, who, in part, perceive him as stronger on protecting businesses and entrepreneurship. Mokhtar, from a family business background, touched on this issue: “As an Arab American, business appeals to most of us. Becoming a billionaire, regardless of where you started, is a significant accomplishment. No fool could do it. He’s clearly not a fool.”
Another Lebanese American, Robert Khoury, 52, shared his reasons for supporting Trump: “You have to vote for the lesser of two evils. I like Trump. He’s against wars. Yes, he says a lot of garbage, but at the end of the day, he means well. The man cares for everyone. The poor, the weak, and we want to avoid war. Watching his recent Michigan rally changed my mind about him. I wouldn’t vote for Harris for any reason. Michigan has the largest number of Arabs and Muslims in the United States. Trump is counting on their votes to win the state.”
Khoury went on to criticize the Biden administration’s handling of the Gaza-Israel-Lebanon conflict: “The Biden administration is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians—men, women, and children. And now, Lebanese. Why do they keep providing weapons to Israel?”
Arab Americans Want an Ally in the White House
Many Arab Americans are eager to see a friend or ally in the White House who understands their aspirations, both economically and in foreign policy. Trump recently addressed a letter to the Lebanese American community, which said, “During my administration, we had peace in the Middle East, and we will have peace again very soon! I will fix the problems caused by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden and stop the suffering and destruction in Lebanon.”
Foreign policy is especially critical to Arab Americans in this violent time. Many have family members in Lebanon and Palestine who risk being killed every day. Yet, some Arab Americans who support Trump may want to pause and think twice.
The Case for Kamala Harris
Other Arab Americans support Vice President Kamala Harris. Mona Ali, a Miami resident, explained her endorsement: “I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and the values I was raised with have guided me to vote for Kamala Harris. I don’t believe that Donald Trump represents U.S. principles. As a woman, I’m concerned that women’s rights could be jeopardized if he is elected. If it starts with women’s health rights, where will it end?”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Edward Gabriel (1997–2001) spoke highly of Harris and is rallying support for her. Gabriel shared his thoughts on the election and detailed his reasons for backing Harris: “As a retired U.S. Ambassador, I’ve spent decades helping Lebanese Americans prosper here and advocating for peace in Lebanon. I met Harris in Flint, Michigan, and she assured me she was working toward a diplomatic solution for Lebanon.”
Gabriel said Harris and he discussed the need for Lebanon to elect a respected president, strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces, and work toward sustainable peace along Lebanon’s borders. He believes this understanding will help Harris win over Lebanese Americans.
What’s Driving Arab Americans to the Voting Booth?
When asked whether foreign policy or domestic issues drive Arab American voters, Gabriel commented: “It’s a combination of factors. Foreign policy is one, but Muslim and Arab Americans also believe Kamala will protect the rights of Muslims to practice their religion freely.”
During his first presidential run, Trump proposed a “Muslim ban” affecting several Muslim-majority countries, though it didn’t take effect. Nonetheless, he has promised to reinstate it and ban refugees from Gaza from entering the United States.
This election will be close. Arab American voters, like all Americans, are weighing their options carefully, caught between two candidates who each claim to champion their interests in different ways. As U.S. policies in the Middle East directly impact families and communities, they seek more than rhetoric; they demand genuine, consistent support for peace abroad and fair representation at home. This election is a pivotal moment for Arab Americans to assert their voices. With both parties courting their votes, neither should take this growing demographic for granted. Today, November 5, Arab Americans will make their voices heard, reminding candidates that their trust, like their vote, must be earned, not assumed.
Adnan Nasser is an independent foreign policy analyst and journalist with a focus on Middle East affairs. Follow him on Twitter @Adnansoutlook29.
Image: Shutterstock.com.