Skip to main content

FM
Former Member

Donald Trump’s Confrontation With Muslim Soldier’s Parents Emerges as Unexpected Flash Point

Khizr Khan, with his wife Ghazala, speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia last week. Credit Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Donald J. Trump reeled on Sunday amid a sustained campaign of criticism by the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq and a rising outcry within his own party over his rough and racially charged dismissal of the couple.

The confrontation between the parents, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, and Mr. Trump has emerged as an unexpected and potentially pivotal flash point in the general election. Mr. Trump has plainly struggled to respond to the reproach of a military family who lost a child, and he has repeatedly answered the Khan family’s criticism with harsh and defensive rhetoric.

And Mr. Trump’s usual political tool kit has appeared to fail him. He earned no reprieve with his complaints that Mr. Khan had been unfair to him or with his repeated attempts to change the subject to Islamic terrorism.

On Sunday, both parents stiffened their denunciation of Mr. Trump, saying that he lacked the moral character and basic empathy to be president. Mr. Khan, who addressed the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, said Sunday on “Meet the Press” on NBC that Mr. Trump had shown disrespect to his wife, and he accused Mr. Trump of running a campaign “of hatred, of derision, of dividing us.”

In a direct appeal to voters inclined to support Mr. Trump, Mr. Khan pleaded with them to reject his brand of politics. He has held up Mr. Trump’s proposal for banning Muslim immigration as characteristic of a campaign Mr. Khan has called bigoted and contemptuous of the Constitution.

“I implore those patriotic Americans that would probably vote for Donald Trump in November; I appeal to them not to vote for hatred, not to vote for fear-mongering,” Mr. Khan said. “Vote for unity. Vote for the goodness of this country. Vote for liberty and freedom.”

And Ms. Khan, in an opinion article published in The Washington Post, rebuked Mr. Trump for suggesting earlier this weekend that she had not been permitted to speak at the Democratic convention. Ms. Khan said she did not speak because she did not believe she could remain composed while talking about her son, Humayun Khan.

“All the world, all America, felt my pain. I am a Gold Star mother. Whoever saw me felt me in their heart,” Ms. Khan wrote. She continued: “Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak?”

Ms. Khan said Mr. Trump was “ignorant” of Islam and criticized him for saying he had sacrificed for his country. “Donald Trump said he has made a lot of sacrifices,” Ms. Khan said. “He doesn’t know what the word sacrifice means.”

In some respects, the exchange between Mr. Trump and the Khan family echoes the June controversy in which Mr. Trump assailed a federal judge, Gonzalo P. Curiel, for his “Mexican heritage.” By going after a military family with the language of ethnic stereotypes, Mr. Trump once again breached multiple norms of American politics and staked out ground that members of his own party are unlikely to help him defend.

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said Sunday that Mr. Trump had crossed another inviolable line. Like his comments about Mr. Curiel, Mr. Graham said, Mr. Trump’s jabs at Mr. and Ms. Khan were entirely unacceptable. “This is going to a place where we’ve never gone before, to push back against the families of the fallen,” he said.

“There used to be some things that were sacred in American politics, that you don’t do, like criticizing the parents of a fallen soldier, even if they criticize you,” Mr. Graham continued. “If you’re going to be leader of the free world, you have to be able to accept criticism, and Mr. Trump can’t.”

Mr. Graham added: “The problem is, ‘unacceptable’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado, a Republican who served in combat as a Marine, decried Mr. Trump’s remarks. Mr. Coffman, who represents a crucial swing district in the Denver suburbs, said Mr. Trump had disrespected American troops.

”Having served in Iraq, I’m deeply offended when Donald Trump fails to honor the sacrifices of all of our brave soldiers who were lost in that war,” Mr. Coffman said.

Donald J. Trump greeting supporters during a rally in Denver on Friday. Credit Nick Cote for The New York Times

It is too soon to say how severe the damage to Mr. Trump’s campaign might be, but the clash has already entangled Mr. Trump in a dayslong argument with a pair of sympathetic accusers and put him on the defensive over his longstanding proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Mr. Trump has downplayed the idea in recent weeks as he attempts to win over swing voters for the general election, but he has never disavowed his plan for a religious test.

Since Thursday, Mr. Khan has mounted an extraordinary public campaign to condemn Mr. Trump for the proposal. He has asked Republican leaders to disavow Mr. Trump and has repeatedly characterized Mr. Trump as a person of unredeemable callousness. And this weekend, his wife joined him as a vocal critic of Mr. Trump.

Mr. Trump has faltered and flailed in his response. In his first reaction, during an ABC News interview, Mr. Trump questioned why Mr. Khan’s wife did not speak alongside him at the Democratic convention, implying that she had been forbidden from doing so.

Mr. Trump also insisted in the same interview that Mr. Khan was wrong to say he had not sacrificed for his country. Mr. Trump offered his work building a business as an example of his sacrifice.

Facing mounting criticism from Democrats and Republicans, Mr. Trump released a follow-up statement on Saturday night, describing the Khans’ deceased son as a hero, but insisting that Mr. Khan had “no right” to criticize him the way he did in Philadelphia.

Mr. Trump on Sunday morning made a third attempt to deflect Mr. Khan’s criticism, writing on Twitter that the real issue at stake in the election was terrorism. And he continued to complain that Mr. Khan had been unfair to him.

“Captain Khan, killed 12 years ago, was a hero,” Mr. Trump wrote, “but this is about RADICAL ISLAMIC TERROR and the weakness of our ‘leaders’ to eradicate it!”

Mr. Trump added, “I was viciously attacked by Mr. Khan at the Democratic Convention. Am I not allowed to respond? Hillary voted for the Iraq war, not me!”

On television, Mr. Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, dismissed criticism of Mr. Trump’s comments about Ms. Khan as “Clinton talking points.” He attempted to distance Mr. Trump from his plan for banning Muslims, arguing that Mr. Trump was now focused on a “geographic suspension” of immigration, rather than one based on religion.

Most Republican leaders have remained silent so far as Mr. Khan and Mr. Trump have traded criticism. The top Republicans in Congress, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, are on record opposing Mr. Trump’s idea for banning Muslims, but neither has spoken out about Mr. Trump’s handling of criticism from the Khans.

The Republican vice presidential nominee, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, may be in a particularly awkward position. One of his sons is a Marine, a fact he frequently mentions on the campaign trail. Mr. Pence’s ability to navigate a racially charged argument between Mr. Trump and a Gold Star family is emerging as his first difficult test as Mr. Trump’s running mate.

So far, Mr. Pence has been silent, and his aides referred requests for comment to Mr. Trump’s campaign staff.

A few other prominent Republicans and national security leaders have spoken out, however, expressing dismay at Mr. Trump’s rough treatment of a family that lost its son at war.

Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican who has refused to endorse Mr. Trump, said the Khan family deserved better. “There’s only one way to talk about Gold Star parents: with honor and respect,” Mr. Kasich said.

And Gen. John Allen, a retired officer who led American forces in Afghanistan and later coordinated international efforts against the Islamic State, said on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday that Mr. Trump was endangering American troops overseas with his caustic attacks on Islam. General Allen, who spoke on behalf of Hillary Clinton at the Democratic convention, singled out Mr. Trump’s criticism of the Khan family as beyond the pale.

“These words matter, and that family was humiliated by those comments,” Mr. Allen said. “And that was unfair and a shameful thing.”

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Trump again defends criticism of parents of Muslim soldier

In this photo taken July 1, 2016, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Denver. [David Zalubowski/AP)In this photo taken July 1, 2016, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP

Donald Trump is defending his criticism of the bereaved parents of a Muslim U.S. Army captain, taking to Twitter Sunday to say the father “viciously attacked” him in his speech at the Democratic National Convention.

“Am I not allowed to respond?” Trump tweeted. “Hillary voted for the Iraq war, not me!”

It was the latest bitter rhetorical volley since the two parties concluded their major conventions last week and the nation looked ahead to a close election this November. Wasting no time, Trump headed to Colorado – a key swing state – while Hillary Clinton took running mate Sen. Tim Kaine on a bus-tour through Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Clinton used her first television interview since officially clinching the Democratic nomination to cast Trump as dangerously pro-Russia and an unknown quantity for U.S. voters. She said she realizes that people often see a “caricature” of herself as a politician but that she hopes American voters will review her track record as a U.S. senator and secretary of State.

Of Trump, she told “Fox News Sunday,” ”He’s not temperamentally fit to be president and commander in chief.“ At last week’s Democratic National Convention, Pakistan-born Khizr Khan told the story of his son, Humayun, who received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart after he was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004. Khan questioned whether Trump had ever read the Constitution because of his anti-immigration positions. He said to Trump: “You have sacrificed nothing.”

During the speech, Khan’s wife, Ghazala, stood quietly by his side.

“If you look at his wife, she was standing there. She had nothing to say. She probably, maybe she wasn’t allowed to have anything to say. You tell me,” Trump said, in an interview with ABC’s “This Week.”

Ghazala Khan has said she didn’t speak because she’s still overwhelmed by her grief and can’t even look at photos of her son without crying.

Trump also disputed Khan’s criticism that the billionaire businessman has “sacrificed nothing and no one” for his country.

“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices. I work very, very hard. I’ve created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, built great structures,” Trump said.

Senior Republican leaders, including House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, remained silent on Sunday, as did vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence.

But John Kasich, the Ohio governor who sought the GOP presidential nomination, said on Twitter, “There’s only one way to talk about Gold Star parents: with honour and respect. Capt. Khan is a hero. Together, we should pray for his family.”

Late Saturday night, Trump released a statement calling Humayun Khan “a hero” but disputing his father’s characterization.

“While I feel deeply for the loss of his son, Mr. Khan who has never met me, has no right to stand in front of millions of people and claim I have never read the Constitution, (which is false) and say many other inaccurate things,” said Trump.

Trump’s rebuke seemed strange in the world of politics where officials only speak well of families whose loved ones die in service to their country. When Cindy Sheehan, who lost her son in Iraq, staged prolonged protests on the war, then-President George W. Bush responded by saying that the nation grieves every death.

When asked about the mother of a State Department official killed in Benghazi, Libya, who blamed Clinton for her son’s death, Clinton said her “heart goes out” to the families and that she didn’t “hold any ill feeling for someone” who has lost a child and recalls events differently.

FM

I note that baseman stays away from Trump posts.

Any way its clear that Trump wants to get back to the world of reality TV, that the Clintons and Trumps remain friends, and that he wishes Hillary successful as the president.

Otherwise why will he bully ordinary people saddened by the loss of their son. It takes a really heartless person to remain neutral when Trump behaves in this thuggish way.

FM

"I implore those patriotic Americans that would probably vote for Donald Trump in November; I appeal to them not to vote for hatred, not to vote for fear-mongering,” Mr. Khan said. “Vote for unity. Vote for the goodness of this country. Vote for liberty and freedom.”

 

This can help take his arse out.

 

 

cain

Thankfully we have an educated Muslim making a public address (Mr. Khan is a lawyer). In the past, an uneducated imam would parade himself in public saying nonsense. This guy has boxed Trump in a corner and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He is perfectly aware that a segment of his following hate Muslims so he has to say what keeps them to him similar to how he pretended he didn't know who David Duke was when he thought he needed Duke's supporters' votes. Today he again succumbed to his evil ways by suggesting that the mother may not have been allowed to speak publicly and then he cowardly tried to hide behind the "many people are saying this". He is too far gone in that black (no offence Carib) hole where he doesn't realize anymore that once he repeats it, he now owns it.

FM
Last edited by Former Member

It's the same as when he said the use of his name has nothing to do with him...how much more does a man have to say before everyone, even the stupidy ones realize what an dumb ass he really is.

cain
Last edited by cain
cain posted:

It's the same as when he said the use of his name has nothing to do with him...how much more does a man have to say before everyone, even the stupidy ones realize what an dumb ass he really is.

I do believe he is beginning to get the shittings.

FM
caribny posted:

Trump is unravelling.

Where is baseman to come to his hero's defense?

Baseman. Calling baseman!

OK no basemen.

Ma man Base is out looking for a new photo to put on his profile.

FM

Addressing Trump directly, Khan told him: “Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with our future. Let me ask you: Have you even read the United States constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy.”

Producing a pocket edition of the US constitution to huge cheers from the crowd, he added: “In this document, look for the words ‘liberty’ and ‘equal protection of law’.”

He went on: “Have you ever been to Arlington cemetery? Go look at the graves of the brave patriots who died defending America – you will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.”

Departing from his text, Khan concluded: “I ask every patriot American, all Muslim immigrants, and all immigrants, do not take this election lightly. This is a historic election. And I request to honor the sacrifice of my son. And on election day, vote for the leader, Hillary Clinton, not the divider.”

 

The Guardian.com

cain
ksazma posted:
caribny posted:

Trump is unravelling.

Where is baseman to come to his hero's defense?

Baseman. Calling baseman!

OK no basemen.

Ma man Base is out looking for a new photo to put on his profile.

He might come back with an angel all floating in the clouds all peaceful an shit, fo try an trick us, but we know it aint gonna work.

cain
Last edited by cain
caribny posted:

I note that baseman stays away from Trump posts.

Any way its clear that Trump wants to get back to the world of reality TV, that the Clintons and Trumps remain friends, and that he wishes Hillary successful as the president.

Otherwise why will he bully ordinary people saddened by the loss of their son. It takes a really heartless person to remain neutral when Trump behaves in this thuggish way.

Trump is baited. I hope he realizes that, and rest the current matter. However, the memory of a dead soldier is evoked by the Democrats. I hope the muslim family considered their faith which teaches them not to attack people. Especially, a person like Trump. And, not to bring the dead in disputes. Their religion emphasizes that, so I heard a ME clergy said at the graveside of muslim being buried.

Everybody wants to attack White People. Basically, that is all it is. All these immigrants feels White people have no rights, to anything. They are somewhat unworthy to even think. 

Show some respect to the man. Everyday, those against the man fan the flames of strife. Stupid people only on the attack.

S
seignet posted:
caribny posted:

I note that baseman stays away from Trump posts.

Any way its clear that Trump wants to get back to the world of reality TV, that the Clintons and Trumps remain friends, and that he wishes Hillary successful as the president.

Otherwise why will he bully ordinary people saddened by the loss of their son. It takes a really heartless person to remain neutral when Trump behaves in this thuggish way.

Trump is baited. I hope he realizes that, and rest the current matter. However, the memory of a dead soldier is evoked by the Democrats. I hope the muslim family considered their faith which teaches them not to attack people. Especially, a person like Trump. And, not to bring the dead in disputes. Their religion emphasizes that, so I heard a ME clergy said at the graveside of muslim being buried.

Everybody wants to attack White People. Basically, that is all it is. All these immigrants feels White people have no rights, to anything. They are somewhat unworthy to even think. 

Show some respect to the man. Everyday, those against the man fan the flames of strife. Stupid people only on the attack.

Are you for real dipsh1t?

White people owns this place. They have all the rights.

Trump started the ATTACK first, numbnuts. The guy dissed McCain, and called the US Army the dumps and the NATO General a sh1thead.

Kari
Kari posted:
seignet posted:
caribny posted:

I note that baseman stays away from Trump posts.

Any way its clear that Trump wants to get back to the world of reality TV, that the Clintons and Trumps remain friends, and that he wishes Hillary successful as the president.

Otherwise why will he bully ordinary people saddened by the loss of their son. It takes a really heartless person to remain neutral when Trump behaves in this thuggish way.

Trump is baited. I hope he realizes that, and rest the current matter. However, the memory of a dead soldier is evoked by the Democrats. I hope the muslim family considered their faith which teaches them not to attack people. Especially, a person like Trump. And, not to bring the dead in disputes. Their religion emphasizes that, so I heard a ME clergy said at the graveside of muslim being buried.

Everybody wants to attack White People. Basically, that is all it is. All these immigrants feels White people have no rights, to anything. They are somewhat unworthy to even think. 

Show some respect to the man. Everyday, those against the man fan the flames of strife. Stupid people only on the attack.

Are you for real dipsh1t?

White people owns this place. They have all the rights.

Trump started the ATTACK first, numbnuts. The guy dissed McCain, and called the US Army the dumps and the NATO General a sh1thead.

cain

Let's show some compassion  for Baseman first let's find out if he is okay. Probably  he is not well and cannot come to his computer.  

If that is the case then I pray ND ask God Almighty to restore full health to Baseman .

Chief
Demerara_Guy posted:

Perhaps, he is deep down in the basement searching for the way forward.

DG, you talk all shit all day with you old semi-senile self.  You hardly add anything original.  You just cut and paste shit!

FM
Chief posted:

Let's show some compassion  for Baseman first let's find out if he is okay. Probably  he is not well and cannot come to his computer.  

If that is the case then I pray ND ask God Almighty to restore full health to Baseman .

Nah bai, but thanks for the concern and prayer.  Baseman was off on a very fun loving weekend much more worthy of being on GNI!  I wish to not spoil the mood and moments talking shit about Guyana.  But me back!

FM
seignet posted:
caribny posted:

I note that baseman stays away from Trump posts.

Any way its clear that Trump wants to get back to the world of reality TV, that the Clintons and Trumps remain friends, and that he wishes Hillary successful as the president.

Otherwise why will he bully ordinary people saddened by the loss of their son. It takes a really heartless person to remain neutral when Trump behaves in this thuggish way.

Trump is baited. I hope he realizes that, and rest the current matter. However, the memory of a dead soldier is evoked by the Democrats. I hope the muslim family considered their faith which teaches them not to attack people. Especially, a person like Trump. And, not to bring the dead in disputes. Their religion emphasizes that, so I heard a ME clergy said at the graveside of muslim being buried.

Everybody wants to attack White People. Basically, that is all it is. All these immigrants feels White people have no rights, to anything. They are somewhat unworthy to even think. 

Show some respect to the man. Everyday, those against the man fan the flames of strife. Stupid people only on the attack.

I agree, he should not fall bait.  He tries to put out fires as a soon at they flare up and the Democrats got this Muslim family to attack him and he reacted.  However, I doubt it will have an impact as the Muslims who hate him done so, matters not!  In the end, the fact that there are some good Muslims does not mean his policy on increased scrutiny is wrong.  Islamic terrorism in the homeland is a major threat and measures need to be taken!

The US needs to amend the constitution to address this threat as this is nothing like we even faced!  This is not a clash of ideas, but a clash of civilizations!

FM
ksazma posted:

Thankfully we have an educated Muslim making a public address (Mr. Khan is a lawyer). In the past, an uneducated imam would parade himself in public saying nonsense. This guy has boxed Trump in a corner and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He is perfectly aware that a segment of his following hate Muslims so he has to say what keeps them to him similar to how he pretended he didn't know who David Duke was when he thought he needed Duke's supporters' votes. Today he again succumbed to his evil ways by suggesting that the mother may not have been allowed to speak publicly and then he cowardly tried to hide behind the "many people are saying this". He is too far gone in that black (no offence Carib) hole where he doesn't realize anymore that once he repeats it, he now owns it.

In all due respect, education has nothing to do with Islamic extremists.  One being a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc is irrelevant!  However, deep respect for the family who paid such a high price for the nation.  In fact, it's the educated ones who are more dangerous once they embrace that path of jihad!

FM

John McCain joins those condemning Trump attack on soldier's parents

Josh Elliott, CTVNews.ca, Published Monday, August 1, 2016 12:00PM EDT, http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/jo...-s-parents-1.3010487

Sen. John McCainSen. John McCain, R-Ariz. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Sen. John McCain has joined the growing number of voices condemning Donald Trump for his attack on the family of a Humayun Khan, a slain Muslim American soldier whose parents challenged Trump at the Democratic National Convention last week.

"Captain Khan's death in Iraq, on June 8th, 2004, was a shining example of the valor and bravery inculcated into our military," McCain said in a statement on Monday. He also thanked Khan's father, Khizr, and mother Ghazala for immigrating to the United States, saying: "We're a better country because of you."

Capt. Humayun Khan was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004. Last week, his father Khizr Khan challenged Trump's anti-Muslim platform in an emotional speech at the DNC, where he suggested Trump had "sacrificed nothing" and that he had never even read the United States Constitution. Ghazala Khan stood by his side during the speech, but did not speak. She later said she was too emotional to say anything.

Trump was quick to fire back at the Khans, insisting that he had made many sacrifices to build his business empire. He also suggested Ghazala Khan had been forced into silence. On ABC's "This Week," Trump said: "If you look at his wife, she was standing there. She had nothing to say. She probably, maybe she wasn't allowed to have anything to say."

Ghazala Khan told CNN she was extremely upset by Trump's remarks, and that all of America felt her pain as she stood silently during her husband's speech: "Please Mr. Trump, feel that pain," she said.

Many high-profile Republicans were quick to distance themselves from Trump's attack on a military family. In addition to McCain, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also issued statements praising Humayun Khan. However, McCain was the only one of those three individuals to mention Trump by name.

"I claim no moral superiority over Donald Trump," McCain said, adding that Trump should be setting an example for the country and his party. "While our Party has bestowed upon him the nomination, it is not accompanied by unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us," he said.

Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri also criticized Trump on Monday, saying he should "focus on jobs and national security and stop responding to every criticism, whether it's from a grieving family or Hillary Clinton." Blunt also said the Khans "deserve to be heard and respected."

Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte, from New Hampshire, also harshly rebuked Trump. "I am appalled that Donald Trump would disparage (the Khans) and that he had the gall to compare his own sacrifices to those of a Gold Star family," she said.

Political reporter Jesse Byrne of "The Hill" says Trump's attack on the Khans is unprecedented, and is going to create a lot of headaches for the GOP leadership. "It's certainly remarkable to have the Republican nominee be publicly feuding with the parents of a slain American soldier," he told CTV News Channel.

Byrne pointed out that while Trump has softened his anti-Muslim stance recently, this situation is likely to put the issue back into the spotlight. "It's going to be something that GOP leaders are going to have to answer for," he said.

Trump said on Twitter Sunday that he was "viciously attacked" by Khizr Khan. "Am I not allowed to respond?" he tweeted. "Hillary voted for the Iraq war, not me!"

=========================

Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, issued a statement of his own on Sunday night, hailing Capt. Khan as a hero while backing Trump's immigration policy

STATEMENT FROM REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE

Donald Trump and I believe that Captain Humayun Khan is an American hero and his family, like all Gold Star families, should be cherished by every American.

Captain Khan gave his life to defend our country in the global war on terror. Due to the disastrous decisions of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a once stable Middle East has now been overrun by ISIS. This must not stand.

By suspending immigration from countries that have been compromised by terrorism, rebuilding our military, defeating ISIS at its source and projecting strength on the global stage, we will reduce the likelihood that other American families will face the enduring heartbreak of the Khan family.

Donald Trump will support our military and their families and we will defeat the enemies of our freedom.

- Governor Mike Pence

FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×