Reporter Confronts Harris Over Decline In Muslim Support
Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, was confronted by a reporter during a press briefing following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The vice president has faced challenges with Muslim voters due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. The reporter directly questioned her about the potential impact on her election chances.
“There’s a lot of churn and turmoil within the Arab-American and Muslim communities here in Michigan. Do you think you could lose the election because of Gaza? Overnight, there were more strikes, 32 more people killed in Gaza, some in hospitals. How risky is it that you could lose the election?” the reporter asked.
Harris responded by acknowledging the situation: “Well, it is undeniable that it is something that everyone is aware of. What is happening there. I speak publicly all the time about the fact that there are so many tragic stories coming from Gaza. And of course, the first in this phase of everything that has happened. The first most tragic story is October 7th. And what happened that day and then what has happened since.”
She continued, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the loss of innocent Palestinian lives, alongside the Israeli victims of the October 7 attacks: “I think what’s critically important as we look at this moment is acknowledging the tragedy of what has happened in Gaza in terms of the extraordinary number of innocent Palestinians who have been killed. And taking that seriously and speaking truth about that. In addition, of course, to what I said about what happened on October 7th, in terms of 1200 innocent Israelis being slaughtered, women being horribly raped, and then fast-forwarding to today with the killing of Sinwar. This creates an opening that I believe we must take full advantage of to dedicate ourselves to ending this war and bringing the hostages home.”
The reporter pressed her, saying, “That is not working so far.”
Harris responded, “You know what? Listen, as it relates to the issues in the Middle East and in particular in that region, it has never been easy. But that doesn’t mean we give up, okay? It is always going to be difficult. It does not mean we give up. We can’t give up.”
This exchange came just after a significant endorsement for her opponent, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, from Muslim Hamtramck, Michigan Mayor Amer Ghalib. Ghalib appeared on stage with Trump and publicly endorsed him, citing Trump's leadership as a solution during a time of national decline.
"As you know, President Trump keeps saying that our country is in decline, and the ship is sinking. So sometimes it’s wise enough to sail against the wave so we can get to the shore safely under the leadership of President Trump, and that’s why I endorsed President Trump in this area in Wayne County," Ghalib stated. He leads a city with the first all-Muslim city council in the U.S.
Trump reiterated his stance on the Middle East, stating, “You know, we all ultimately want one thing. We want peace in the Middle East, and we’re going to get peace in the Middle East,” as a supporter in the crowd shouted, “We trust you!”