Hosting a formal dinner at her home in August 2003, she praised what she called America's "historic step" to ""establish democracy, fight terrorism, make peace and give the people a taste of freedom."" She also joined her son, Nadim, in endorsing Hikmat Dib of the Free Patriotic Movement in an important byelection. This put her (and her son) at odds with her brother-in-law, former President Amine Gemayel, who endorsed the more moderate Henri Helou. Helou won, but by a much smaller margin than had been expected.