'Jews like monkey': Trump-backing Muslim mayor's troubling history of racist comments

Amer Ghalib , the mayor of Hamtramck , Michigan, recently made waves by endorsing former President Donald Trump and presenting him with a certificate of appreciation during Trump ’s visit to the city. Ghalib’s backing of Trump, particularly given the city’s Muslim-majority population and past Republican-Muslim tensions, marks a significant moment in Trump’s efforts to engage Arab-American voters ahead of the 2024 election . However, this endorsement has ignited controversy due to Ghalib’s past inflammatory remarks, particularly his anti-Jewish and racist statements.



Ghalib, who became Hamtramck’s first Muslim mayor in 2021, has been a divisive figure. According to a 2022 article in the Middle East Forum by Benjamin Baird, before his rise to office, Ghalbi's social media posts included anti-Semitic and anti-Black comments. Notably, Ghalib "liked" a comment that referred to Jews as “monkeys” and criticised Arab leaders for “becoming Jewish.” He also insulted Christians, using derogatory terms and claiming that “Jews and Nazarenes” had only been satisfied with Arab despots.

In addition to his anti-Semitic rhetoric, Ghalib has a history of making racist remarks about African Americans. During the Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020, Ghalib shared an offensive meme mocking African American looters, and endorsed comments that described African Americans as “inhuman” and “animalistic.” These posts have drawn sharp criticism from local and national communities, calling into question his commitment to inclusivity.

Ghalib’s social media presence has also implicated him in potential voter fraud. In a 2020 post, Ghalib admitted to filling out absentee ballots for voters during the Democratic primaries, a violation of Michigan election law. Although this prompted complaints, state and federal authorities have not confirmed formal investigations.

Despite these controversies, Ghalib’s endorsement of Trump symbolises a potential shift in Arab-American political allegiances, particularly among voters disillusioned by Democratic handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, Ghalib’s divisive remarks continue to cloud his political image, even as he attempts to heal rifts within his community.

As the 2024 election approaches, Ghalib’s support for Trump may prove influential in Michigan’s tightly contested race, but his past continues to haunt his political career.

A Pattern of Controversial Trump Backers

Ghalib’s endorsement of Trump is not an isolated case. Several other figures with troubling racial histories have also supported Trump, raising questions about the company the former president keeps. One prominent example is Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist who has openly promoted racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric. Fuentes, known for his extremist views, has praised segregation and the disenfranchisement of non-white Americans. He gained notoriety as a leader of the far-right "Groyper Army" and has voiced support for restricting immigration to maintain the United States’ white majority.

Another notable Trump backer is Candace Owens, a conservative commentator known for downplaying the significance of systemic racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. Owens has dismissed the idea of racial discrimination against African Americans and has made inflammatory statements suggesting that the media’s portrayal of police violence against Black individuals is exaggerated. Her controversial rhetoric has garnered her widespread attention and aligned her with Trump’s base, despite sparking backlash within African American communities.

Mark Robinson , the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, is another high-profile Trump supporter with a history of incendiary remarks. Robinson has faced criticism for comments that demean LGBTQ+ individuals and dismiss the realities of systemic racism. He has called transgender rights "filth" and has been accused of using his platform to spread divisive messages that target marginalised groups. Robinson’s endorsement of Trump follows a broader trend of figures with controversial views being embraced by Trump’s campaign.

These individuals, alongside Ghalib, represent a pattern within Trump’s support base, where figures with histories of racist, anti-Semitic, or inflammatory statements have backed the former president. While Trump has sought to broaden his appeal to different voting blocs, including Arab Americans, his alignment with such individuals continues to raise concerns about the rhetoric and values circulating within his political coalition.

As the election draws nearer, Trump’s association with controversial figures like Fuentes, Owens, Robinson, and now Ghalib, may have significant implications for his efforts to secure diverse voter support while managing the backlash from those who oppose the divisive ideologies they represent.