Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib Endorses Donald Trump for 2024 Presidential Race

Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, a predominantly Muslim suburb near Detroit, has endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. In a Facebook post written in Arabic on Sunday, Ghalib described Trump as "the right choice for this critical time," even though he doesn’t fully agree with the former president on every issue. "He may or may not win the election and become the 47th president of the United States," Ghalib wrote, "but I believe he is the right choice for this critical time."

As reported by Fox News, Ghalib reaffirmed his commitment to his endorsement, saying, "I’ll not regret my decision no matter what the outcome, and I’m ready to face the consequences. For this and many other reasons, I announce my support for the former, and hopefully, next president of the United States, Donald Trump." The mayor added, "Now, let the Caravan begin its journey. This is just the starting point."

Ghalib mentioned discussing several issues with Trump, including polling data, vote statistics in Michigan and Wayne County, Arab American concerns, particularly those of Yemeni Americans, and the ongoing situation in Yemen. Hamtramck stands out as the only U.S. city governed entirely by Muslims, with over 40% of its population being foreign-born.

Despite Ghalib’s endorsement, recent polls suggest a tight race for Trump. According to an NBC News poll conducted between September 13-17, Vice President Kamala Harris leads Trump by five percentage points, with 48% of registered voters viewing her favorably—a notable increase since July. Trump's favorability also saw a slight improvement, with 40% of respondents viewing him positively.

Another poll by CBS News shows Harris with a narrower lead, ahead by four percentage points, 52% to 48%, among likely voters. With the election approaching on November 5, battleground states are expected to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.

Trump, 78, is making his third run for the presidency after losing to Joe Biden in 2020. If elected, Harris, 59, would make history as the first female president of the United States.

Political experts observe that the race has shifted in recent weeks. Amy Walter, editor in chief of the Cook Political Report, commented on NBC’s Meet the Press, "She [Harris] has transformed this from a referendum on Joe Biden to a referendum on Donald Trump."

As the contest tightens, endorsements like Ghalib’s may prove influential, particularly in key battleground states where every vote will count.