Amer Ghalib, the first Arab-American and Muslim elected official to endorse Donald Trump in the 2024 election, announced on Wednesday that he has been appointed to a new role as advisor to the president on Arab-American affairs.
The former mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, said in his announcement that he was grateful to Trump for the opportunity, and that while he could not promise to solve every challenge Arab-Americans face, he would try his best to be a voice for the community in the White House.
Ghalib, who was born in Yemen, immigrated to the US in 1997 and was the first in his family to graduate from high school, made headlines in 2024 when he met with Trump and described their conversation, where they discussed various topics, from Arab American concerns to the situation in Yemen and poll updates.
The New Arab takes a closer look at who Ghalib is and some of the things he has been outspoken on.
Former mayor of Hamtramck, Kuwait ambassador
Ghalib, a physician-turned politician, was elected mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan in 2021and then was nominated in March 2025 by Trump to be the US ambassador to Kuwait.
During his time in Kuwait, he faced scathing criticism from senators such as Ted Cruz and Jeanne Shaheen for ‘liking’ social media posts that were reportedly interpreted to be antisemitic in nature—actions he distanced himself from and said were not reflective of his views.
His actions as a private citizen were also criticised by staunch pro-Israel groups, including the Israel Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and some right-wing news outlets.
In January, Ghalib started work as senior advisor for strategic partnerships at AmeriCorps, following a consultation with Trump where they discussed him exploring different career paths.
At the time, Ghalib said he chose AmeriCorps after debating several options because he believed it closely aligned with his background in public service.
“I chose this position so I can serve as a bridge between the federal government, local communities and the White House,” Ghalib told reporters at the time.
Relationship with Trump
Ghalib has long had what appears to be a good relationship with Trump, and has met him several times over the years.
Earlier this year, he said: “My relationship with the president is strong, and I have direct communication with him and his administration”.
When Ghalib endorsed Trump, many commentators suggested that the reason could have been their shared positions when it came to culture war debates, gender identity, and gay rights. The city has been known for its social conservatism, especially after it banned the pride flag on public property in 2023.
During the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections, Ghalib accompanied Trump on some of his presidential campaign rallies.
Stance on Israel
Ghalib has been outspoken about Israel’s war on Gaza, determined to be a genocide by leading rights groups and scholars.
He has also expressed his rejection of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw several Arab states normalise relations with Israel, and has targeted former president Joe Biden’s support for Israel.
Hamtramck also became the first American city to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy against Israel. Despite criticism from pro-Israel groups, Ghalib defended the move, highlighting that the resolution had been drafted by Jewish Voice for Peace and was approved unanimously by the city council.
“It wasn’t my idea. We don’t have any companies that deal with Israel in our city,” he said at the time.
When quizzed on whether he believes Israel is a homeland for the Jewish people, he said: "I believe it can be a home for the Jewish and the Arabs and the Muslims and the Christians as well."
However, he has also faced backlash over contradictions, with many questioning the various stances he has held.
In July, Ghalib doubled down on his support for Trump, despite him calling for Palestinians to be blocked from returning from Gaza if it is taken over and redeveloped.
“Yes, I disagree with the president on the idea of evacuating indigenous people of Gaza from their homeland,” Ghalib wrote in a Facebook post. “But I still support him for many other reasons, and I don’t regret supporting him in the election.”
Some have also called him out for supporting Trump during a time when he was pushing Islamophobic policies and introducing the travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, including Ghalib’s birthplace of Yemen.
