As Donald Trump’s second time period within the U.S. presidency looms, analysts are inspecting the elements behind his electoral success, significantly his skill to unite various communities and social teams throughout American society. One key query that continues to emerge is why a majority of Muslims supported him in his race in opposition to Kamala Harris, who is thought for her shut ties to minority communities.
Furkan Kaya, an instructional from Yeditepe University, believes that the help Trump obtained from Muslim voters displays the group’s various composition, which incorporates a variety of ethnic, sectarian and ideological views.
In an unique interview with Daily Sabah, Kaya stated: “Muslims in the U.S. are far from a monolithic group. While some vehemently oppose Trump’s policies, viewing them as discriminatory, others appreciate his emphasis on traditional family values and selective immigration policies, which align with their priorities.”
There are 2.5 million Muslim voters within the U.S., most of whom dwell within the seven vital “swing states” the place elections are neck and neck. This has led to Muslim voters enjoying a decisive function within the election outcomes.
According to a nationwide survey of 1,449 Muslim voters carried out on Oct. 30-31, shortly earlier than the elections, 42.3% of respondents had stated they’d vote for third-party candidate Jill Stein. Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris was the second selection of Muslim voters, with 41%, whereas 9.8% stated they’d vote for Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Kaya criticized each Trump’s insurance policies and the Democratic Party’s perceived disengagement, highlighting the continued use of Islamophobia as a political software by each main events.
Hatem Bazian, a scholar on the University of California, Berkeley, argued that Trump represents a continuation of U.S. political elites’ longstanding help for Israel whereas marginalizing pro-Palestinian Muslim communities.
“This challenge has existed since at least 2021, during Biden’s presidency, and has intensified over the last 14 months,” Bazian stated.
“However, the Democratic Party’s refusal to include figures like Rashida Tlaib showed that it missed an opportunity to connect with an important voter base,” Bazian famous, emphasizing that this alienation contrasted sharply with Trump’s evolving tone within the 2024 marketing campaign.
Rashida Tlaib made historical past in 2018 when she gained Michigan’s thirteenth District seat, turning into the primary Muslim lady elected to the U.S. Congress. Joining Ilhan Omar because the third Muslim in Congress, Tlaib opposed Trump’s insurance policies and advocated for immigration reform and common well being care.
Palestinian trigger
Kaya additionally highlighted the Abraham Accords, normalization agreements between Israel and a number of other Arab international locations, as a big issue shaping Muslim voters’ political conduct within the U.S.
“While these agreements were praised for fostering regional stability and economic cooperation, they sparked criticism for sidelining the Palestinian cause and polarizing Muslim voters,” he famous, citing Trump’s hardline stance on Iran as a divisive ingredient.
In November 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his need to proceed the peace course of initiated by the Abraham Accords, aiming to normalize relations with extra Arab international locations.
Kaya additionally pointed to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was broadly supported by anti-war voters welcoming the tip of “endless wars.” However, Bazian criticized the Democrats for failing to attach with Muslim voters.
Evolving relationship
At the identical time, it’s seen that Trump didn’t proceed some controversial discourses and adopted a extra conciliatory perspective within the 2024 election marketing campaign in comparison with 2016 and 2020; Kaya stated, “Trump avoided Islamophobic rhetoric against Muslims” and added, “He did not create the panic atmosphere when he was first elected.”
In the 2020 elections, the Democrats’ victory was consolidated via identification politics and a few senators elected with headscarves, equivalent to Ilhan Omar, have been highlighted. This performed an essential function in Muslim voters principally voting for Trump.
This time round although, the election outcomes have been formed in favor of Trump, particularly in states with massive Muslim populations. For occasion, in Michigan, Kamala Harris obtained 48.3% of the vote, whereas Donald Trump gained the state with 49.7%, demonstrating the decisive affect of Muslim voters.
Recently, Muslim activism on the Palestinian subject has elevated, with organizations such because the Council on American-Islamic Relations organizing protests, offering monetary help and operating pro-Palestinian commercials nationally. Bazian described this activism as a “creative response to oppression,” emphasizing group resilience and political engagement.
In 2016, however, Trump drew consideration with guarantees to deal with the financial issues of the decrease lessons. Republicans embraced reforms equivalent to elevating the minimal wage in Alabama, however Democrats usually campaigned on problems with social identification.
On the opposite hand, Democrats have been criticized for not providing efficient options to financial and working-class points.
“Economic stability, security and conservative values often outweighed cultural and ideological differences,” Kaya stated, explaining the stability between pragmatism and ideological commitments amongst Muslim voters.
Source: www.dailysabah.com