The 2024 U.S. presidential election saw a surprising shift in Michigan, where former President Donald Trump secured a near-clean sweep in Dearborn, a city known for its large Arab-American population. The loss of support from Arab-American voters was a critical blow to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, raising questions about her campaign’s approach and policies.
Decline in Arab-American Support
Harris faced strong criticism for her handling of issues central to Arab-American voters, particularly regarding U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Many in the community felt betrayed by the Democratic administration’s unwavering support for Israel amid its ongoing military actions in Gaza. Harris’s refusal to condemn these actions, coupled with her administration’s military aid to Israel, alienated a key segment of her voter base.
Read More: Hezbollah calls for US action, not words, as Trump reclaims White …
Protests by Arab-American communities demanding a ceasefire and sanctions against Israel were largely ignored by Harris’s campaign. Activists and voters in Dearborn highlighted her disregard for their concerns, encapsulated by the slogan: “No ceasefire, no vote.”
Strategic Missteps
Harris’s campaign was further marred by endorsements from figures like former Vice President Dick Cheney and former President Bill Clinton. Cheney, a polarizing figure due to his role in U.S. military actions in the Middle East, was particularly unpopular among Arab Americans. Clinton’s comments during a Michigan rally, which appeared to dismiss concerns about the Gaza conflict, only deepened the community’s discontent.
In contrast, Trump capitalized on the Democrats’ failures by engaging directly with Arab-American voters. He visited Dearborn, held meetings with local leaders, and presented himself as a candidate willing to listen. While his policies historically alienated Arab and Muslim Americans, his rhetoric during the 2024 campaign struck a different tone, promising to bring “peace” to the Middle East.
Swing State Dynamics
The Arab-American vote alone would not have secured a Harris victory in Michigan, but it exemplified a broader issue: low voter turnout and disillusionment among key Democratic constituencies. In Michigan’s swing cities like Dearborn, voter turnout dropped significantly compared to 2020. In Dearborn, Harris managed only 36% of the vote, a dramatic decline from Biden’s 69% in 2020. Meanwhile, Trump’s share rose to 42%, with Green Party candidate Jill Stein capturing nearly 20%.
This trend extended beyond Michigan. Across the six critical swing states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada—Harris lost 730,000 votes compared to Biden’s performance in 2020. In total, the 2024 election saw a turnout of just 58%, down from 66% in 2020, reflecting widespread disillusionment.
Impact of Gaza
At the heart of the 2024 election was the U.S.’s unconditional support for Israel during its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Polls indicated that a growing number of Democrats sympathized with Palestinians, yet Harris’s campaign largely ignored this sentiment. Movements like the “Uncommitted” campaign gained traction, urging voters to abstain or support third-party candidates as a form of protest.
This issue resonated deeply in Dearborn and other Arab-American communities, where many voters felt their concerns about the Middle East were dismissed. In some areas, turnout for Harris was halved compared to Biden’s 2020 results.
Broader Voter Boycott
The Arab-American vote was not the only factor in Harris’s defeat. A significant portion of Biden’s 2020 voters chose to abstain in 2024, frustrated by a lack of inspiring leadership and meaningful policy changes. Harris’s failure to energize the Democratic base, combined with Trump’s steady but not significantly improved support, created the conditions for her loss.
Read More: Putin congratulates ‘courageous’ Trump
Trump won Michigan and other key swing states not because of a dramatic surge in his popularity, but due to the Democrats’ inability to maintain their 2020 coalition. Harris’s total vote count of 67 million fell far short of Biden’s 81 million in 2020, highlighting the scale of voter disengagement.