Trump meets Arab Americans in Dearborn, vows to bring peace in Middle East

(This story was updated to add new information and video.)

Donald Trump met with Arab American supporters Friday afternoon at a halal cafe in Dearborn, vowing to bring peace to the Middle East if he's elected, and repeatedly criticizing Liz Cheney.

"You're going to have peace in the Middle East" when I'm president, "not with the clowns that you have running the U.S. right now," Trump declared while inside The Great Commoner, a halal cafe run by a Lebanese-American family concerned about Israel's attacks in Lebanon and Gaza. "They should have peace in the Middle East, but not with the clowns you have. You have people in the Middle East who aren't doing their job. You have people in the U.S. who aren't doing their job."

Trump's visit is the latest example of a historic election year for Michigan's Arab American and Muslim communities, who have been more visible at Republican events than ever before. Trump appeared on stage in Novi on Oct. 26 with a row of Muslim leaders behind him and also rallied in Hamtramck on Oct. 18 with Muslim elected officials and community leaders.

As Trump's motorcade rolled down Michigan Avenue, the street was lined with both supporters and opponents. A couple of people displayed their middle finger and a woman could be heard crying out "Free Palestine."

After entering the cafe at 3:10 pm, Trump shook hands with supporters as others filmed his appearance on their phones. He then spoke to reporters, criticizing Cheney, whose recent town hall in Royal Oak with Kamala Harris has been criticized by Arab Americans upset with her support for foreign wars. Dearborn has the highest percentage of Arab Americans among all cities in the United States and more than 80 protests have been held in the Detroit suburb over the past year in support of Palestinians, Lebanon and Yemen.

More: Trump, Harris vie for Arab American, Muslim votes in Michigan as Yemenis gain spotlight

Albert Abbas, a brother of cafe owner Sam Abbas gave a speech standing next to Trump, attacking the administration of President Joe Biden for "failing miserably." Standing on the other side of Trump was Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany Trump and a native of Lebanon who has done extensive outreach to Michigan's Arab American communities this year.

"Let me share a couple words for our president, for our future president and former president," Abbas said, praising the former president. "As Arab Americans, we unite against the betrayal of those in power. Our families back home suffer, their cries for help echoing across borders while the world remains silent. It is time to prioritize our nation's best interest and foster lasting peace for all. This current administration has failed miserably in all aspects of humanity. It is imperative that the Republican Party recognizes the contributions of Arab Americans. No longer will we tolerate the narrative of fake news that seeks to demonize our people. We are proud Americans, enriching this nation with our hospitality, education and hard work."

Trump then walked over to the kitchen area, which has signs that read: “Let’s end the war” and “Stand for peace in Lebanon and Gaza." He met with Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib and Dearborn Heights Bill Bazzi, both of whom have endorsed Trump and lead cities with the second (Hamtramck) and third (Dearborn Heights) highest percentage of Arab Americans in the U.S. The largest group in Dearborn's Arab American population are Lebanese, a group Trump mentioned during his cafe visit.

"We have a great feeling for Lebanon, and I know so many people from Lebanon, Lebanese people," Trump said. "And the Muslim population, they're liking Trump, and they've had a good relationship ... This is where they are: Dearborn. We want their votes, and we're looking for their votes, and I think we'll get their votes."

Trump on Wednesday released a statement and letter on Lebanon, claiming he "will fix the problems caused by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden and stop the suffering and destruction in Lebanon." Abbas said "we appreciate the recent letter regarding Lebanon" but "I can't stand in silence when Palestine is being erased. Please help us stop the bloodshed."

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, whose district includes Dearborn, posted statements Friday on X blasting Trump ahead of his visit, but also slamming Democrats for policies they said have allowed Trump to become popular among Arab Americans frustrated by war.

"The architect of the Muslim Ban is making a campaign stop in Dearborn," Hammoud wrote, referring to a travel ban under Trump that banned visitors from some Muslim-majority nations. But Hammoud added that the Democrats' "unwillingness to stop funding & enabling a genocide created the space for Trump to infiltrate our communities."

Hammoud also revealed for the first time the Trump campaign has been asking him to sit down with Trump, but he refused. Hammoud had a sit-down meeting with Kamala Harris in August. The mayor has not endorsed anyone for president.

"I’ve refused a sit down with him although the requests keep pouring in," Hammoud said. "Trump will never be my president."

Tlaib said "Trump is a proud Islamophobe + serial liar who doesn't stand for peace," but the only Palestinian American member of Congress added, "the reality is that the Biden admin’s unconditional support for genocide is what got us here. This should be a wake-up call for those who continue to support genocide. This election didn't have to be close."

Trump's visit to Dearborn came just four days before an election in which Michigan, which has the highest percentage of Middle Eastern residents among all 50 states, is seen as a swing state. Biden won in Dearborn and Hamtramck in 2020.

Trump's 20-minute visit was the first in 24 years by a Republican nominee for president to Dearborn's Arab American community, since George W. Bush, the governor of Texas at the time, came to Dearborn in October 2000. Bush met with dozens of Arab American and Muslim leaders, who later endorsed him. The following week, Bush expressed concerns about the racial profiling of Arab Americans during a debate with Al Gore, the Democratic nominee.

While signing plaques for the cafe, Trump spoke to reporters, attacking Liz Cheney, a former U.S. Rep. whose father was one of the architects of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

"Liz Cheney is a disaster," Trump said. In a war "she wouldn't fight, she would chicken out so fast."

Referring to security hawks, Trump said "they don't mind killing people. but if they had to do it themselves, she wouldn't fight. She's a coward."

A man in the crowd cried out at one point: "Mr. President, we love you."

In Dearborn, there is frustration with the administration of President Joe Biden over the killing of Arabs in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen over the past year. Social issues are another factor, with some Muslims upset in Dearborn over some LGBTQ+ books in public schools.

A woman in the crowd shouted out Trump is "fighting for our children."

Also attending Trump's appearance in Dearborn was Robert Kennedy Jr., who posed for selfies and got into a verbal exchange about genocide in Gaza with Dearborn activist Hassan Chami. Kennedy has been a staunch supporter of Israel.

Trump was asked by a reporter if he has talked with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about ways to end the conflict.

"I always talk about things like that," Trump replied.

Before visiting Hamtramck last month for a rally with Arab Americans who generally oppose Israel's leadership, Trump told reporters that Netanyahu is "doing a good job. Biden is trying to hold him back … and he probably should be doing the opposite."

Also accompanying Trump in Dearborn were campaign aides Jason Miller and Stephen Miller, who helped design the Muslim travel ban.

Trump spoke later Friday in Warren.

Contact Niraj Warikoo:[email protected] or X @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Donald Trump meets with Arab Americans in Dearborn, promises peace