In a surprising twist that rattles the political establishment, Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck — a city representing a Muslim-majority demographic — has publicly endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. Ghalib boldly declared Trump as “the right choice for this critical time.”
This endorsement, made via a Facebook post on Sunday, is not just a casual nod; it reflects a significant shift in the narrative. Ghalib, while acknowledging that he and Trump don’t “agree on everything,” still regards the former president as “a man of principles.”
Here’s his post:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me be clear, so our expectations are realistic.
President Trump and I may not agree on everything, but I know he is a man of principles.
Though it’s looking good, he may or may not win the election and be the 47th president of the United States, but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time. I’ll not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and I’m ready to face the consequences.
For this, and for many other reasons, I announce my support and endorsement for the former, and hopefully, the next president of the United States, Donald Trump.
Now, let the Caravan begin its journey. This is just the starting point.
Amer Ghalib
Hamtramck City Mayor.
Trump, ever the savvy politician, wasted no time in amplifying Ghalib’s message, sharing it on his Truth Social account. This is more than just an endorsement; it’s a strategic alliance that could resonate deeply within the Arab American community.
Ghalib’s endorsement follows a private meeting with Trump in Flint earlier this week, where the two engaged in a candid 20-minute conversation.
Ghalib noted that Trump “knew a lot about me before the meeting,” suggesting a level of preparation that hints at a calculated approach to garnering support from diverse communities.
In his discussions with Trump, Ghalib revealed, “We talked about various topics including the debates, the polls updates, the statistics of votes in Michigan and Wayne County, the Arab American concerns and the Yemeni Americans in particular. We also talked about the situation in Yemen.”
Hamtramck is the only U.S. city governed entirely by Muslims, with more than 40% of the city’s population foreign-born.