In a recent report, NBC News reveals that a growing number of Muslim American and Arab American leaders in swing states are warning President Joe Biden that he is losing support from their communities. This shift in allegiance could have significant implications for Biden in the upcoming 2024 election.

During the 2020 election, Muslim Americans overwhelmingly supported Biden, and it was expected that they would do so again in 2024, particularly if his opponent is former President Donald Trump, known for his controversial plans to ban Muslims from entering the United States. However, Biden's handling of the war between Israel and Hamas, coupled with concerns about Islamophobia at home, has sparked dissatisfaction among Muslim American and Arab American voters.

In battleground states that Biden won by narrow margins in the last election, leaders from these communities have raised their voices, expressing concerns about Biden's approach to the conflict in Gaza. Many Muslim American and Arab American voters are contemplating various options for the next election, including staying home, voting for a write-in or third-party candidate, or not casting a vote for the presidential race altogether.

Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage, the largest group focused on mobilizing Muslim American voters, stated that Biden's mishandling of the issue could dissuade enough voters to sit out the election, potentially giving Republicans control of the presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court. Alzayat, who recently met with Biden at the White House, criticized the administration for mismanaging the situation.

While Muslim Americans constitute a small minority of the overall U.S. population, their presence is significant in several battleground states where they could sway election outcomes. For example, Biden won Arizona by a slim margin of around 10,500 votes, and the state is estimated to have 110,000 Muslim adherents. Similar patterns are seen in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, where Biden's victory margins were narrow and the Muslim population is substantial.

The frustration among Muslim American voters extends beyond the conflict in Gaza. Sumaya Abdul-Quadir, program director at the Arizona Muslim Alliance, voiced concerns about exorbitant sums of money being allocated for war efforts, weapons, and aid to foreign countries. Abdul-Quadir expressed discontent with Biden's proposed $105 billion allocation to Israel and considered voting for other candidates or leaving the presidential ticket blank.

In response to these concerns, Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, emphasized the president's commitment to working closely with Muslim American and Palestinian American community leaders. Moussa stated that Biden understands the importance of building trust within all communities and denounced Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racism.

The potential loss of support from Muslim and Arab Americans has historically impacted political allegiances. In the past, many members of these communities voted for Republicans, including George W. Bush, but shifted away from the GOP after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the rising acceptance of Islamophobic rhetoric within the party following the 9/11 attacks.

In an effort to mitigate the damage, the White House has been balancing its support for Israel and Jewish Americans with calls for restraint in Gaza. The administration has also organized meetings and listening sessions with Muslim American and Arab American leaders, including one-on-one outreach to elected officials representing these communities.

Despite these initiatives, some Muslim American activists feel that the engagement from the White House is insufficient. Robert McCaw, CAIR's top lobbyist and government affairs director, noted that while the White House is engaging with Muslim communities, it is not listening to their concerns fully. McCaw highlighted a desire for a cease-fire and criticized the administration's policy, which includes resupplying Israel while hoping for fewer Palestinian civilian deaths.

Furthermore, tension arose from a recent meeting between Biden and Muslim and Arab leaders, where participants felt that the White House failed to publicly acknowledge their presence and criticized the absence of Palestinian American representation. Such incidents have further strained the relationship between Muslim American communities and the administration.

As the 2024 election approaches, Muslim American leaders argue that Biden needs to take immediate action to rebuild trust with their communities. Failure to do so may result in a significant loss of support, with Muslim American voters either choosing to abstain from voting or seeking alternative candidates who address their concerns more effectively.

The White House has yet to respond to the specific concerns raised by Muslim American activists and leaders, leaving many questioning the administration's commitment to understanding their perspectives. With tensions running high, the road to regaining Muslim American support in the upcoming election grows increasingly challenging for Biden and the Democratic Party.