LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A significant change has occurred within a group that was instrumental in Donald Trump’s voter outreach efforts to the Arab American community. The organization, previously known as Arab Americans for Trump, has announced its rebranding to Arab Americans for Peace. This change follows President Trump’s controversial remarks suggesting that the United States would “take over” the Gaza Strip.
Bishara Bahbah, the chairman of the rebranded group, spoke with The Associated Press about this transition. He emphasized that the group has always aimed to advocate for peace and wishes to remain proactive in their stance, especially in light of Trump’s recent statements regarding the future of Gaza. Bahbah clearly articulated their opposition to the idea of relocating Palestinians from their homeland, which he referred to as Historic Palestine.
The announcement of the name change coincided with a Tuesday press conference during which President Trump presented his vision for the Gaza region alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump proposed that the U.S. assume “ownership” to redevelop Gaza into what he called “the Riviera of the Middle East.” Such remarks have generated widespread backlash, especially from those advocating for the rights of Palestinians.
Arab Americans for Trump played a vital role in outreach initiatives for Trump in key battleground states, including Michigan and Arizona, ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Despite operating independently from the Trump campaign, the group facilitated numerous engagements between Arab American leaders and Trump’s allies, such as Richard Grenell, the former ambassador to Germany and current envoy for special missions, and Massad Boulos, who is also Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law and now serves as a senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
A significant achievement for Trump was winning Dearborn, Michigan—the area with the largest concentration of Arab Americans—during the 2024 election. This marked the first time a Republican presidential candidate claimed victory in Dearborn since 2000, contributing to Trump's overall success in winning the state. Trump notably visited Dearborn on November 1 to rally support from the community.
Even though the members of the group had contemplated a name change for some time, the decision was formally made on the same day as Trump’s press conference with Netanyahu. Prior to this pivotal moment, Bahbah had indicated that the group’s name was still Arab Americans for Trump. After the rebranding, the organization released a statement asserting their appreciation for the president's proposal to clean and rebuild Gaza, while simultaneously expressing their strong disagreement with his suggestions about taking over the area and displacing its Palestinian residents.
The new moniker, Arab Americans for Peace, represents a clear shift in the group’s identity and objectives, aligning with their continued advocacy for peaceful resolutions and respect for the rights of Palestinians in the ongoing conflict regarding Gaza and other contested territories in the region.
