The city of Dearborn, Michigan, played a key role in the 2024 presidential election by supporting President-elect Trump over Vice President Harris. The Abandon Biden movement in Dearborn initially aimed to distance themselves from President Biden and Vice President Harris due to their perceived lack of attention to the Arab and Muslim community. Many voters in Dearborn were dissatisfied with the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza, leading them to support Trump in the election instead. This shift in support was significant, especially considering Dearborn’s status as a city with the largest per capita Muslim population in the country.
The frustrations with the Democratic Party extended to Vice President Harris when she was on the ticket for the 2024 election. Activists in Dearborn believed that Harris had not done enough to earn the votes of the Muslim community in the city. Despite the dissatisfaction with the Democrats, some members of the community were hesitant to support Trump due to his policies during his first term, including strong support for Israel and travel restrictions on Muslim-majority countries. However, leaders like Mike Hachem worked to change perceptions by launching the Arab Americans for a Better America PAC, which advocated for Trump in the Dearborn area.
President Trump began to gain momentum with Muslim leaders in Michigan and earned endorsements from multiple mayors and religious leaders in southeast Michigan. This support, coupled with the efforts of groups like the Arab Americans for a Better America PAC, contributed to Trump’s victory in the critical battleground state of Michigan. In Dearborn specifically, Trump won 42.5% of the vote, while Harris received only 36.2%, showcasing a significant shift from the 2020 election where Biden had strong support in the city. Dearborn Heights, another nearby city with a large Muslim population, also saw Trump win over many voters.
The decision to support Trump was seen as a way for the Arab and Muslim community to finally receive recognition and attention from a sitting president. Hachem highlighted that Trump’s acknowledgment of their existence and importance in the fabric of the nation was a driving factor in the community’s decision to back him. The victory of Trump in cities like Dearborn and Dearborn Heights demonstrated a shift in political preferences among Muslim voters in Michigan, who previously had been strong supporters of the Democratic Party. This change in allegiance indicated a desire for more engagement and recognition from political leaders, which Trump was able to provide to some extent.
Overall, the support for Trump in Dearborn and other cities with large Muslim populations in Michigan reflected a broader shift in political sentiment among Arab and Muslim Americans. The campaign to “Abandon Biden” and ultimately endorse Trump was fueled by dissatisfaction with the Democrats’ handling of issues important to the community, such as the conflict in Gaza. By actively supporting Trump and advocating for their interests, voters in cities like Dearborn signaled a desire for more inclusive and engaged political leadership. The results of the 2024 election in Michigan, with Trump winning over traditionally Democratic strongholds, highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing the concerns of diverse communities in shaping electoral outcomes.
