Trump Gains Ground in Diverse Queens Neighborhoods Ahead of Inauguration

ASTORIA, Queens — As Donald Trump prepares to assume office for a historic non-consecutive second term, signs of shifting political allegiances are emerging in one of New York City’s most diverse boroughs. In neighborhoods like Astoria, Queens, traditionally Democratic strongholds, Trump and the Republican Party have made surprising inroads among voters, particularly in working-class and minority communities.

Yassine Elmoujahid, a Moroccan American barber in Astoria, exemplifies this trend. “Hell yeah!” he exclaimed when asked if he voted for Trump. Elmoujahid, who runs a barbershop on a predominantly Muslim block, estimates that “more than 90%” of his family and many of his customers also supported Trump. While not a fervent “MAGA” supporter, Elmoujahid expressed frustration with the Biden administration, calling it “third-world shit” and praising Trump’s outsider appeal.

November’s election saw Trump gain support across nearly every demographic and geographic category in the U.S., including in New York City. In the 14th Congressional District, which spans parts of Queens and the Bronx, Trump’s share of the vote increased by an estimated 11 points compared to 2020, according to city records and the Daily Kos. This shift occurred even as progressive firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was re-elected and Vice President Kamala Harris won nearly 65% of the district’s votes.

Ocasio-Cortez has acknowledged the complexity of this trend. In an Instagram segment, she recalled a voter telling her, “I feel like you [and Trump] are both outsiders … and less establishment.” This sentiment, coupled with dissatisfaction over issues like the Israel-Gaza war, has driven some traditionally Democratic voters toward Trump.

Zohran Mamdani, a state legislator representing parts of Queens, has observed similar shifts. During recent street interviews, he found that many residents cited the cost of living as their primary concern. “I heard one after the other tell me they were Democrats and they voted for Trump,” Mamdani said. “Or they were Democrats and they didn’t vote at all.”

In Astoria, the Ronald Reagan Republican Club is capitalizing on this momentum. At a recent meeting, club leader Robert Hornak declared, “We are one week away from the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States.” The club, which describes itself as a “safe haven” for like-minded individuals, is working to expand its reach across New York City’s diverse communities.

John Burnett, the first vice-chair of the New York State Republican Party, believes the GOP has a “great product” but needs to better communicate its message. “People are being mugged in the subway,” he said, emphasizing public safety as a key issue. Tom Kenniff, an attorney who defended Daniel Penny in a high-profile subway killing case, echoed this sentiment, arguing that New Yorkers are increasingly receptive to Republican policies.

Despite these gains, registered Democrats still outnumber Republicans in New York City, and Democrats retained four congressional seats in the 2024 elections. However, the shifting political landscape in Queens and other diverse neighborhoods suggests that neither party can take any demographic for granted.

As Trump’s inauguration approaches, uncertainty remains about how his policies will impact New York City. Issues like congestion pricing, federal funding, and immigration enforcement loom large. For now, residents like Elmoujahid are cautiously optimistic. “I feel good right now, to let it all out,” he said after sharing his frustrations. Whether that optimism will hold remains to be seen.