Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

dalton99a

(94,218 posts)
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 11:59 AM Feb 1

Trump's failed bid to elevate an Arab American ally shows cracks in his political coalition

https://apnews.com/article/trump-michigan-gaza-amer-ghalib-arab-americans-703621a99b5fdb89b84c34f3b8070bf1

Trump’s failed bid to elevate an Arab American ally shows cracks in his political coalition
By JOEY CAPPELLETTI
Updated 6:57 AM CST, February 1, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Donald Trump won his comeback campaign, he credited the mayor of a small Detroit suburb with helping him make inroads with Michigan’s Arab American community. As a reward, Trump nominated Amer Ghalib to serve as U.S. ambassador to Kuwait.

But Ghalib is not on his way to the oil-rich nation in the Persian Gulf. Instead, he is still in Hamtramck, population 30,000, after his nomination stalled because of opposition from Trump’s fellow Republicans.

It’s not clear whether the White House will submit Ghalib’s name again, and he said it does not matter either way: “I’m not interested in it anymore.”

The nomination’s unraveling has exacerbated tensions between Republicans and an Arab American community that, dissatisfied with Democratic President Joe Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza, helped send Trump back to the White House. Although Trump was successful in 2024, a key constituency may not be there for his party in the November midterm elections, when control of Congress is up for grabs.

...


2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump's failed bid to elevate an Arab American ally shows cracks in his political coalition (Original Post) dalton99a Feb 1 OP
The stupidity of Trump voters. J_William_Ryan Feb 1 #1
I would wonder how many Trump voters will never regret. Wild guesses, anyone ? Tetrachloride Feb 1 #2

J_William_Ryan

(3,496 posts)
1. The stupidity of Trump voters.
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 12:07 PM
Feb 1

And now it’s too late for Trump voters to realize their mistake, the damage is done.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Trump's failed bid to ele...