In a surprising move, a key Arab American group that once supported Donald Trump has rebranded itself following his recent comments about Gaza. The organization, formerly known as Arab Americans for Trump, announced Wednesday that it will now be called Arab Americans for Peace.
The change came after Trump, during a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, proposed that the U.S. “take over” Gaza and turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” The remarks sparked immediate backlash, particularly among Arab American communities.
Bishara Bahbah, chairman of the newly renamed group, made it clear that his organization strongly opposes the idea of displacing Palestinians. “Obviously, we’re completely opposed to the idea of the transfer of Palestinians from anywhere in Historic Palestine,” Bahbah told The Associated Press. “Our goal has always been to push for peace, and we didn’t want to be behind the curve on that.”
Arab Americans for Trump played a crucial role in voter outreach for Trump during the 2024 election, particularly in swing states like Michigan and Arizona. The group, while independent of Trump’s official campaign, helped facilitate meetings between Arab American leaders and Trump’s allies, including Richard Grenell and Massad Boulos, a senior adviser on Middle Eastern affairs.
Trump’s efforts paid off, as he became the first Republican since 2000 to win in Dearborn, Michigan—a city with the nation’s largest Arab American population. He even visited Dearborn on November 1 as part of his campaign strategy.
Bahbah revealed that the group had been considering a name change for some time but finalized the decision on Tuesday after Trump’s controversial remarks. In a press release, Arab Americans for Peace acknowledged Trump’s willingness to rebuild Gaza but firmly opposed the notion of U.S. control over the territory and the displacement of its Palestinian inhabitants.
This shift signals growing tensions between Trump and a key voter base that once supported him, raising questions about how his stance on the Middle East may impact future political alliances.
