LANSING, Mich. — A group that played a key role in Donald Trump’s voter outreach to the Arab American community alongside his allies is rebranding itself after the president said the United States would “take over” the Gaza Strip.
Bishara Bahbah, national chairman for Arab Americans for Trump, answers questions during an Aug. 14 interview in Dearborn, Mich.
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Jose Juarez, Associated Press
Bishara Bahbah, chairman of the group formerly known as Arab Americans for Trump, said during a phone interview Wednesday that the group will now be called Arab Americans for Peace.
The name change came after Trump held a Tuesday news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House and proposed the U.S. take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
“The talk about what the president wants to do with Gaza, obviously we’re completely opposed to the idea of the transfer of Palestinians from anywhere in Historic Palestine,” Bahbah said. “And so we did not want to be behind the curve in terms of pushing for peace, because that has been our objective from the very beginning.”
Arab Americans for Trump helped lead voter outreach efforts for Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election in swing states such as Michigan and Arizona.
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak Tuesday during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
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Alex Brandon, Associated Press
The group, independent from the Trump campaign, frequently facilitated meetings between Arab American community leaders and Trump’s allies, including Richard Grenell, now serving as Trump’s envoy for special missions, and Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany and now a senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
In the 2024 election, Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win Dearborn, Michigan — home to the nation’s largest concentration of Arab Americans — since 2000 on his way to winning the state. Trump visited Dearborn on Nov. 1.
Palestinians, their allies and other nations reacted strongly to President Donald Trump’s proposal that the United States ‘take over’ the Gaza Strip and permanently resettle its residents.Trump’s suggestion came at a White House news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who smiled several times as the president detailed a plan to build new settlements for Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip, and for the US to take ‘ownership’ in redeveloping the war-torn territory into ‘the Riviera of the Middle East.’
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Bahbah said the group was thinking about changing its name for “a while” and made the decision Tuesday. He said during a phone interview just prior to Trump’s Tuesday night news conference with Netanyahu that the group’s name was Arab Americans for Trump.
In a news release issued Wednesday by Arab Americans for Peace, the group said its members “appreciate the president’s offer to clean and rebuild Gaza” but “take issue with the president’s suggestion of taking over Gaza and removing its Palestinian inhabitants.”
Photos: Scenes from Donald Trump’s second inauguration
Rudy Giuliani, center arrives for a church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Eric Trump and wife Lara, daughter Carolina and son Luke, arrive for church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania, at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A sign is seen near St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, where President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania will attend an early morning service to start Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Ivanka Trump and her family arrive for a church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive for church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Staff prepare before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk out to greet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrives for a church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive for church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania are greeted as they arrive for church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
President-elect Donald Trump talks with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Usha Vance before a service at St. John’s Church, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President-elect Donald Trump walks with his wife Melania after a church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, greet Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Joe Biden, center left, and first lady Jill Biden, left, greet President-elect Donald Trump, center right, and Melania Trump, right, upon arriving at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Director of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin directs musicians before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk out to greet President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump, as they arrive at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump are greeted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Vice President Kamala Harris, right, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff stand before greeting Vice President-elect JD Vance and Usha Vance at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and his wife Elaine Chao arrive for the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Susie Wiles and Miriam Adelson arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump walk out to the presidential limosine, as they depart the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, enroute to the Capitol. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Vivek Ramaswamy, center, arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
From left, former Speaker of the House John Boehner, Callista Gingrich, Debbie Boehner and former speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Ivanka Trump arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
Donald Trump Jr. and his daughter, Kai Trump, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
Lara and Eric Trump arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, escorted by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., walk out to the presidential limousine, as they depart the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, enroute to the Capitol. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. In foreground are Susie Wiles, left and Miriam Adelson. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Attendees arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Jeff Bezos arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, followed by Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Lee Greenwood sings before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
From left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Barron Trump arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Former Presidents George W. Bush, left, and Bill Clinton arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Former President Barack Obama arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Former NHL player Wayne Gretzky, left, and his wife Janet Jones arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Former Vice President Mike Pence arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump honk as they past a group from La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), meaning The Union of the Entire People, marching to protest the inauguration of President-elect Trump, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump honk as they past a group from La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), meaning The Union of the Entire People, marching to protest the inauguration of President-elect Trump, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), meaning The Union of the Entire People, march to protest the inauguration of incoming President-elect Donald Trump, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Members of the Trump family listen as Christopher Maccio sings during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Tim Cook arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Pool Photo via AP)
Donald Trump, right, and JD Vance, left, on stage before taking their oaths of office during the Inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)
Family members of President-elect Donald Trump stand in the first row before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP)
Rupert Murdoch arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
From left, Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Rudy Giuliani attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
President-elect Donald Trump checks his phone as he departs the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
JD Vance is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as Usha Vance holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
President-elect Donald Trump arrives at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
President-elect Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden arrive at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
President-elect Donald Trump kisses Melania Trump before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP)
President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP)
President Donald Trump with his wife first lady Melanie Trump, as well as his sons Barron Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, left, and daughter Tiffany Trump, right, after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., claps as President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, as former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris look on. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)
President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
President Donald Trump, left, points to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, as former President Joe Biden looks on. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew sits before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Pastor of 180 Church Lorenzo Sewell, delivers a benediction after President Donald Trump was sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP)
Carrie Underwood performs “America the Beautiful” during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
President Donald Trump, right, and first lady Melania Trump depart after the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, as former President Joe Biden looks on. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew sits before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Pastor of 180 Church Lorenzo Sewell, delivers a benediction after President Donald Trump was sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP)
Carrie Underwood performs “America the Beautiful” during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
People watch the 60th Presidential Inauguration from Emancipation Hall, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Al Drago/Pool Photo via AP)
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)
Former President Joe Biden and Jill Biden, aboard a Marine helicopter, lift off from the U.S. Capitol en route to Joint Base Andrews, after attending the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
From left, Larua Trump, Eric Trump, Elon Musk, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump Jr., stand together after President Donald Trump was sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.(Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)
Former President Joe Biden and Jill Biden, right, depart the Capitol with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump where the Biden’s will board a Marine helicopter en route to Joint Base Andrews, after attending the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Donald Trump speaks from Emancipation Hall as House Speaker Mike Johnson, from left, his wife Kelly Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and his wife Jennifer Scalise, listen after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Jasper Colt/Pool Photo via AP)
Jasper Colt
COPYRIGHT 2025 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
