Jordanians ‘shocked’ over Trump win, but foresee no major changes as result

AMMAN — While Jordanians expressed “shock” over Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election, they doubted that a Hilary Clinton administration would have changed the course of Washington’s policy in the region.

In separate phone interviews with The Jordan Times on Wednesday, citizens expressed “uncertainty” over the “Trump doctrine”, especially that he is a businessman, not a politician, while Clinton’s service as secretary of state under the Barack Obama administration makes her “more qualified”.

Montaser Omoush, an employee at an IT company, said he followed the news of presidential debates and for a while thought Trump had almost no chance of winning.

“He did not think or act like a president, but apparently he was able to convince a good number of Americans,” Omoush said.

But Intisar Shaabi expressed concern over the future of Arab students and those living in the US, since Trump has employed vitriolic rhetoric against immigrants. 

Shaabi said her son went to the US two years ago for his higher education.

“I hope electing Trump does not incite hatred or violence against Muslims and Arabs in America,” she said.

Trump, a billionaire who gained fame in the US for his reality TV show “The Apprentice”, has initially said he will impose a ban on Muslims entry into the US, but later said it will be limited to those coming from conflict-ridden areas.

The president-elect has also suggested that it would be a good tactic to bomb the families of suspected terrorists.

On the other hand, Mohammad Sahouri, a 58-year-old garment trader, said he does not think the results of the US presidential election will affect him or his close community.

“I don’t think that whoever becomes an American president will change the current situation… The Palestinian issue has been around for years and the Americans did not solve it. Why should I care?” he said.

Trump’s “unexpected” win triggered some jokes over social media outlets, including ones about his “inexperience” in politics and others on Jordanian’s “intense” interest in the US presidential election.

“The Simpson’s prophecy some 16 years ago of Trump becoming president has come true,” Facebook user Aya Hamdallah wrote. 

Ahmad Abu Dayeh said Trump’s openness about his ideas makes him “a better option” when compared to Clinton’s “hidden” policies.

Jumana Hussein posted that the Americans wanted some change from the Clintons, hinting at the rotation of titles and positions among officials from the same families in Jordan.

On Twitter, Garcia Smadi (@SmadiGarcia) said the American people have voted for Trump because they cannot stand a woman president.

Facebook and Twitter users also shared an advertisement by Royal Jordanian urging travellers to book tickets to the US now “while you’re still allowed to”, alluding to the “Muslim ban” that the Republican had been touting.