Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stated on Friday that it is time to end the ongoing Israeli-Lebanese conflict. Speaking to an audience in Michigan, which included many Arab-American voters, Trump emphasized the need for lasting peace in the region.
“I know many people from Lebanon, and we need to end this entirely,” Trump said, emphasizing a desire for peaceful resolutions.
Election Polls and Trump’s Position on the Middle East
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election nears, recent polls indicate a lead for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, with her support reportedly ranging between 19 and 29 percentage points among early voters. A poll by Time magazine and the Siena Institute showed Harris leading with 59% of the vote compared to Trump’s 40%. Another survey from ABC News and Ipsos reflected a more significant lead for Harris, with 62% to Trump’s 33%.
Despite these numbers, Trump remains confident in his success, particularly in seven swing states pivotal to the election outcome. He claimed that his only obstacle could be “fraud,” referring to “various attempts at cheating,” although he provided no specific evidence.
Trump’s Middle East Strategy
In a recent post on the platform X, formerly Twitter, Trump highlighted his past achievements in maintaining peace in the Middle East during his administration. He pledged that “peace will soon be restored,” and emphasized his commitment to addressing the challenges that he says have been mishandled by his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, and President Joe Biden.
“I want to see a Middle East that returns to true peace, to lasting peace,” Trump said. “We will accomplish this the right way, maintaining equal partnerships with all Lebanese communities and bringing an end to suffering and destruction in Lebanon.”
Trump’s remarks reflect his ongoing campaign narrative of returning stability to the Middle East while contrasting his approach with that of the current administration.
