Meet Massad Boulos, one of the most recent members of the Trump family to become politically relevant.
Boulos is a Lebanese-born businessman who moved to Texas as a teenager, speaks Arabic, English and French, and recently joined the Trump family when his son married the former president’s younger daughter, Tiffany.
Boulos is tasked with trying to convince a politically influential community in Dearborn, Michigan, angry at President Joe Biden, that Trump is a better option.
Tens of thousands voted ‘uncommitted’ in Michigan’s Democratic Presidential primary.
“Obviously the No. 1 point that is of high priority within the Arab American community is the current war in the Middle East,” Boulos said in an interview. “And the question is, who can bring peace and who is bringing war? And they know the answer to that.”
- Trump has banned immigration from Muslim-majority countries, questioned the loyalty of Muslim lawmakers in Congress, says Biden isn’t pro-Israel enough, and has threatened to deport pro-Palestinian protesters he labels as supporters of Hamas.
Boulos has a background in politics in his home country, and describes himself as a “friend” of Sleiman Frangieh, a Christian politician allied with the Shiite party and the militant group Hezbollah. Frangieh is currently Hezbollah’s endorsed candidate for Lebanon’s presidential vacancy.
Boulos traveled to Michigan earlier this month to attend what he described as a “private fundraising event” with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., and about 50 Arab Americans.
“I told Massad, ‘This isn’t about you being Lebanese and me being Lebanese,’” said Osama Siblani, a publisher of the Arab American News in Dearborn. “You can’t just buy votes. You have to give something substantial to the community. And Trump hasn’t done that yet.”
Boulos argued that things were better for Arab Americans under Trump and that the world saw less conflict and fewer wars during his presidency, suggesting Trump could help resolve the Gaza conflict.
Boulos and Trump allies are looking to seize an opportunity as Arab Americans are disenfranchised with President Biden.
“One less vote for Biden is a vote for Trump,” said Bishara Bahbah, chairman of the group Arab Americans for Trump, who have operations in Michigan and Arizona.
Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, said Trump “is the biggest threat to the Muslim and Arab community.”
“He and his allies believe we don’t belong in this country and Trump is openly speaking about allowing Israel to bomb Gaza without regard,” said Moussa, who is Arab American. “Trump and his campaign are racists and Islamophobes. Period. President Biden, on the other hand, is working tirelessly towards a just and lasting peace.”
More at AP