Trump's Mispronunciation of Assyrians Sparks Community Spotlight and Engagement

Donald Trump's recent mispronunciation at a rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, drew attention. "Also, we have many Asur-Asians in our room," he said. He was attempting to acknowledge Assyrians supporting his campaign. They wore "Assyrians for Trump" shirts and sat prominently behind him in the arena, located 90 minutes north of Phoenix.

Assyrians are a Christian indigenous group from ancient Mesopotamia, now part of the Middle East. They are a small minority in the US but have significant communities in Michigan and Arizona. These states are crucial for the upcoming November 5 election, where polls indicate a tight race.

Assyrian Influence in Swing States

In the US, around 95,000 people identify as Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac, according to 2022 Census data. Michigan hosts the largest group with 38,000 Assyrians. Arizona has about 5,000, while other battleground states have fewer than 500 each. California and Chicago also have large Assyrian populations but are not politically competitive.

Sam Darmo, a Phoenix real estate agent and co-founder of Assyrians for Trump, expressed gratitude for Trump's error. "Thank you, President Trump, for making a mistake in our name," he said. "More Americans know who the Assyrians are today than they did back on Sunday."

Historical Challenges and Recognition Efforts

Assyrians originate from regions now known as Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkiye. They descend from a once-powerful empire and early Christians speaking Aramaic. Many fled persecution and genocide over centuries, most recently by the Islamic State group. Their ancient relics have been destroyed or trafficked.

Globally, Assyrians strive to commemorate past atrocities like the 1915 deportation and massacre by Ottoman Turks. They seek recognition of these events as genocide by local and national governments. Turkiye disputes this term, arguing those deaths were due to civil unrest.

Political Engagement and Community Sentiments

Trump correctly pronounced "Assyrian" during an interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David. He recounted meeting Assyrians who requested a shoutout at the rally. Darmo confirmed asking Trump for this favour while posing with him before the event.

Eric Trump engaged with Assyrians in Phoenix before the 2020 election. Mona Oshana, an Iraqi-born Assyrian American who co-founded Assyrians for Trump, believes the GOP aligns well with their values. "We are an America First community because we came to America based on the echo of freedom and the Constitution," she said.

Some Assyrians were upset by Trump's immigration policies that reduced refugee resettlement and imposed travel bans on several Muslim-majority countries like Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The death of Jimmy Al-Daoud in Baghdad highlighted these tensions; he was deported despite living in the US since infancy.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign also engages with Assyrians through Chaldeans and Assyrians for Harris Walz, active particularly in Michigan. This grassroots organising group reflects diverse political involvement within the community.

The Assyrian community's historical struggles and current political engagement highlight their resilience and influence in key US states. Their efforts to preserve their heritage and seek recognition continue amidst evolving political landscapes.