Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, the first U.S. city to have an all-Muslim city council, has endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Ghalib described Trump as “a man of principles” and expressed confidence in his decision, stating, “I believe he is the right choice for this critical time.”
Ghalib, an immigrant from Yemen, was elected as Hamtramck’s first Muslim mayor in 2021. His endorsement came just days after meeting with Trump in person. Ghalib shared that the two discussed various topics, including the debates, poll updates, Arab American concerns, and issues specifically affecting Yemeni Americans.
The meeting took place in Flint, Michigan, where Trump reportedly asked for Ghalib’s endorsement. Ghalib emphasized that he stood by his decision regardless of the outcome, stating he was ready to face any consequences that might follow.
“[Trump] knew a lot about me before the meeting,” he said
“We talked about various topics including the debates, the polls updates, the statistics of votes in Michigan and Wayne County, the Arab American concerns, and the Yemeni Americans in particular,” Ghalib added.
Trump later reposted Ghalib’s endorsement on Truth Social
Hamtramck, a small city of about 28,000 residents, became the first in the country to have a Muslim-majority city council in 2015. According to U.S. Census data, more than 40% of the city’s population is foreign-born, including a significant number of Yemeni natives.
Ghalib’s endorsement of Trump sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some supported his decision, others expressed disappointment. In response, Ghalib thanked his supporters and acknowledged the differing opinions with respect.