Massad Boulos : “Trump allies target Tiffany’s father-in-law to flip Arab American votes in Michigan”

Lansing – An emissary to Arab Americans for former President Donald Trump is Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman with a multilingual background who recently became part of the Trump family through his son’s marriage to Tiffany Trump, the former president’s younger daughter.

Boulos, who moved to Texas as a teenager, speaks Arabic, English, and French. He has taken on the task of persuading the Arab American community, which is currently dissatisfied with President Joe Biden, that Trump is a better choice. However, many Arab Americans are wary of Trump’s pro-Israel stance and what they perceive as Islamophobic comments and policies.

Throughout his political career, Trump has involved family members and their relatives in key roles. Boulos, with his family connection to Trump, has been enlisted to help with outreach in the Arab American community ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Some Trump allies see an opportunity to sway Arab Americans away from Biden due to their discontent with the President’s support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. Boulos has been meeting with Arab American community members, emphasizing Trump’s commitment to peace in the Middle East.

Critics, however, point to Trump’s past statements about Arabs and Muslims, including his immigration ban on several majority-Muslim countries and questioning the loyalty of Muslim lawmakers. Despite Boulos’ efforts, some community members remain unconvinced by Trump’s promises.

A Journey into Politics

Boulos, a Lebanese native, moved to Texas before pursuing a career in Republican politics. After joining his family’s business, he became the CEO of SCOA Nigeria, a conglomerate specializing in motor vehicles and equipment assembly.

Having run for a parliamentary seat in Lebanon in 2009, Boulos has a background in politics. His involvement with Trump’s campaign increased after his son’s marriage to Tiffany Trump, leading to his expanded role in engaging with the Arab American community.

Despite not making recent donations, Boulos has been actively participating in fundraising events and meetings with Arab American leaders to promote Trump’s candidacy.

Challenges and Opportunities

As Boulos engages with the Arab American community, he faces skepticism and pushback from some members who question Trump’s policies and statements. Despite his efforts to highlight Trump’s accomplishments, including peace efforts in the Middle East, not all community leaders are convinced.

The Trump campaign, through spokesperson Brian Hughes, expresses gratitude for the support of Arab American voters and emphasizes the need for a change from Biden’s Middle East policies.

While Boulos continues his outreach efforts, some in the community explore alternative political options, such as Green Party candidate Jill Stein, signaling a diversity of perspectives within the Arab American electorate.

Looking Ahead

As the 2024 election approaches, Boulos remains committed to engaging with the Arab American community on behalf of Trump. Despite his close ties to the Trump family, he maintains that his involvement is driven by his concerns as a citizen and a Republican.

With ongoing dialogue and outreach, the political landscape within the Arab American community continues to evolve, reflecting diverse viewpoints and engagement with various political candidates.

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Associated Press reporters Jill Colvin in Washington, Abby Sewell in Beirut, Lebanon, and Chinedu Asadu in Lagos, Nigeria, contributed to this report.