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Trump draws rebuke for comments on slain Muslim soldier's family

Khizr Khan, the father of deceased Muslim US Capt. Humayun Khan, delivers remarks on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His wife Ghazala Khan is standing with him. (AFP photo)

US GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has drawn condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats over his comments against the Muslim family of an American soldier killed in Iraq. 

On Thursday night, Khizr Khan addressed the Democratic National Convention, denouncing Trump as unpatriotic and selfish over his statements against immigrants and Muslims.

In an interview with ABC News that will be broadcast on Sunday, the billionaire businessman tried to belittle Khan and his wife Ghazala, saying that the slain soldier’s father had delivered the entire speech because his mother was not “allowed” to speak.

And, in an interview with New York Times writer Maureen Dowd, Trump said, “I’d like to hear his wife say something.”

Trump’s comments attracted rebuke from both sides of the aisle and intensified calls for Republican leaders to distance themselves from the White House contender.

A spokesperson for Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House of Representatives, slammed Trump's rhetoric about Muslims.

“The speaker has made clear many times that he rejects this idea, and himself has talked about how Muslim Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country,” AshLee Strong said in a statement.

In the ABC News interview, Trump claimed he has made “a lot of sacrifices for America” in response to Khan's comments that the real estate tycoon has sacrificed nothing for his country.

“I think 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. I've had tremendous success. I think I've done a lot,” he said.

Donald Trump addresses supporters at the Gallogly Events Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on July 29, 2016. (AFP photo)

Some Democrats and Republicans said Trump's comments were in poor taste.

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton issued a statement saluting the Muslim couple.

“I was very moved to see Ghazala Khan stand bravely and with dignity support of her son on Thursday night. And I was very moved to hear her speak last night, bravely and with dignity, about her son’s life and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country,” Clinton said in a statement, referring to remarks Ghazala Khan made on Friday night on a TV channel.

“This is a time for all Americans to stand with the Khans, and with all the families whose children have died in service to our country. And it is a time to honor the sacrifice of Captain Khan and all the fallen. Captain Khan and his family represent the best of America, and we salute them,” Clinton said.

Tim Miller, a former communications director for Jeb Bush's presidential campaign, described Trump's remarks as “inhuman.”

“Her son is dead. This is inhuman,” he tweeted.

Former Republican candidate John Kasich also condemned Trump over his comments, saying he has “no redeeming qualities.”

“There’s only one way to talk about Gold Star parents: with honor and respect,” Kasich tweeted. “Capt. Khan is a hero. Together, we should pray for his family.”


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