UFC fighters rally Arab-American voters in Michigan, delivering a knockout punch to Harris’s campaign hopes.
At a Glance
- UFC fighters Justin Gaethje, Beneil Dariush, and Henry Cejudo campaigned for Trump in Michigan
- The event aimed to register Arab-American voters as Republicans
- Trump’s campaign opened an office in Hamtramck, a Muslim-majority city in Michigan
- Arab Americans, traditionally Democratic voters, show signs of shifting support due to Biden’s Israel stance
UFC Fighters Step into the Political Ring for Trump
In a bold move that’s causing ripples across the political landscape, UFC fighters Justin Gaethje, Beneil Dariush, and Henry Cejudo have thrown their weight behind Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. The trio participated in a rally in Warren, Michigan, specifically targeting Arab-American voters. This unexpected alliance between mixed martial arts and politics underscores the Trump campaign’s strategic efforts to secure crucial votes in a key battleground state.
The event, sponsored by the Conservative Middle Eastern political-action committee, aimed to increase Republican voter registration among Arab-Americans. Justin Gaethje, known for his prowess in the octagon, humorously acknowledged his unconventional role in politics, stating, “I do get punched in the head for a living, so I have written some words.” This self-deprecating humor served to endear him to the audience while highlighting the fighters’ genuine engagement with the political process.
UFC fighters tell Michigan Arabs to vote for Trump as a peacemaker: ‘We’re definitely in the championship rounds’ https://t.co/FbRjhpdjLS pic.twitter.com/rvCa930tXL
— New York Post (@nypost) October 21, 2024
Trump’s Middle East Record: A Key Selling Point
The fighters’ involvement was facilitated by their manager, Ali Abdelaziz, a friend of Trump and former acting Director of National Intelligence, Ric Grenell. Abdelaziz emphasized Trump’s foreign policy achievements, stating, “I think Donald Trump brought four years of peace.” This narrative of Trump as a peacemaker in the Middle East is central to the campaign’s strategy in wooing Arab-American voters.
While Vice President Kamala Harris attempts to paint Trump as anti-labor, the Trump campaign is successfully leveraging his Middle East policy record to appeal to Arab-American voters. This strategy seems to be gaining traction, especially in light of the Biden administration’s perceived shortcomings in addressing the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Shifting Allegiances in a Key Battleground State
Michigan, with its significant Arab-American population, is proving to be a crucial battleground in the 2024 presidential race. Trump’s campaign has made strategic moves, including opening an office in Hamtramck, a Muslim-majority city. This outreach has not gone unnoticed, with Hamtramck’s Democratic Mayor Amer Ghalib endorsing Trump, stating, “His visit today is to show respect and appreciation to our community.”
“Peace in the Middle East will not happen under a Harris administration – she’s too weak. Trump is the only hope for peace.” – Barry Altman
This sentiment reflects a growing dissatisfaction among Arab-Americans with the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of Middle East issues. The Trump campaign is skillfully capitalizing on this discontent, presenting the former president as a stronger alternative for achieving peace and stability in the region.
The Impact on the 2024 Election
As the 2024 election approaches, the shifting allegiances of Arab-American voters in Michigan could prove decisive. With national polls showing Arab-Americans slightly favoring Trump, and some support for the Green Party’s Jill Stein, the Biden-Harris campaign faces a significant challenge in maintaining its grip on this traditionally Democratic voting bloc.
The involvement of UFC fighters in Trump’s campaign adds a unique dimension to this political battleground. Their popularity and influence among diverse demographics, including Arab-Americans, could sway undecided voters. As the race tightens, every vote counts, and Trump’s unconventional alliance with these MMA stars might just deliver the knockout punch his campaign needs in Michigan.
