Republican Michigan gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson says he had a massive change of heart when it came to Muslim Americans: He went from organizing an Islamophobic march to sympathizing with the Islamophobia many Americans face. The change was fast too it took him just a few visits to mosques to change his mind.But his use of anti-LGBTQ+ slurs raises questions about the sincerity of his change. Related School board meeting descends into chaos as protestors demand book bans Earlier this month, Hudson said that he would organize a march through Dearborn a Detroit suburb with the proportionately largest Muslim population in the U.S. to protect Americans from Sharia law. Sharia law is the religious law of Islam, and many on the right have, for years, falsely claimed that Democrats and Muslims want to force Americans to follow it.Hudson, a trucker who ran for Congress in 2024, wrote on X on November 3 that he wanted the U.S. Marine Corps and the National Guard to come to his PEACEFUL march for TRUE PATRIOTS to RESTORE ORDER, adding, THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT. THE WORLD IS WATCHING. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today ButtheDetroit Metro-Timesreportedon Monday, November 17, that Hudson had a change of heart just two weeks later. Hudson reportedly visited three mosques during this time and had face-to-face meetings with Muslim Americans.I can tell you in good faith right now today, standing at a pulpit in a mosque, that Sharia law does not exist in Dearborn, Michigan, nor do I believe it exists anywhere in the United States, he said in a video posted from a mosque in Dearborn. You have all been lied to with the propaganda thats going on about Dearborn, Michigan, he continued. I can tell you with absolute faith that everything youve been told or taught about Dearborn is a complete fabrication of the truth. Dearborn is a very quiet community. There is a lot of hospitality. Ive been extremely welcomed here.Hudson apologized for spreading Islamophobic conspiracy theories and even said that he would be the first to put out the fire if he ever saw someone trying to burn the Quran. He did say that the march was still on, but that he didnt know what its purpose would be yet.But apparently his change of heart doesnt extend to all historically oppressed minorities. The Metro-Times ended its article on Hudson with: Were still going to be there, Hudson says. I hope twice as many people show up.Hudson then called this reporter a f**king lesbian and used a homophobic slur.The reporter is Steve Neavling, who is a man. Neavling said on X that the slur starts with an f.'Lovely gentleman, Neavling concluded.Tell them the entire story you washed up fake media journalist! Hudson responded on X. Tell them the entire story you washed up fake media journalist! Youre a fraud! Anthony Hudson (@Hudson4Governor) November 18, 2025Hudson also cast doubt on his own change of heart. On Tuesday, November 18 one day after the Metro-Times article was published he posted about the march and said, WE WILL NOT ALLOW SHRIA [sic] LAW IN THIS COUNTRY!THERE WILL BE NO MUSLIM TAKE OVER AND YOU WILL NOT HIDE YOUR HEINOUS AGENDA UNDER FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND TRY TO MANIPULATE OUR LAWS!Someone in the responses asked him about his visits to Dearborn mosques, and he responded: Think chess not checkers! You have to outsmart your opposition! Have a lil faith and give me 48hrs please. Think chess not checkers! You have to outsmart your opposition! Have a lil faith and give me 48hrs please Anthony Hudson (@Hudson4Governor) November 18, 2025Hudson ran for Congress in 2024 in Michigans Eighth Congressional District and lost in the primary to Paul Junge, and Junge later lost the general election to Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet. Hudson got just over 10% of the vote in the primary.Hudson is one of several Republicans running to replace outgoing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who is term-limited.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.