The father of a heroic Muslim U.S. soldier killed in combat in Iraq in 2004 lashed out Sunday at Donald Trump's criticism of his bereaved family, saying it has shown the world "the blackness of his character, of his soul."
In an emotional interview with CNN's "State of the Union," Khizr Khan said people are rightfully upset with the GOP nominee's attack on Khan's wife, Ghazala, calling it the "height of… ignorance."
Trump's remarks show he's"totally unfit for the leadership of this beautiful country," Khan said. "The world is receiving us like we have never seen. They have seen the blackness of his character, of his soul, that he is void of recognizing, empathizing with people."
Khan tells CNN he "appreciates" Trump's later response praising Khan's hero son, Army Capt. Humayun Khan, who received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart after he was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004.
But in an interview late Saturday with the Washington Post, Khan called the Trump statement "fake empathy."
"What he said originally, that defines him," he tells the Post. He showed his true colors when he disrespected this country's most honorable mother," calling Trump's remarks "typical of a person without a soul."
"Only those parents that have lost their son or daughter could imagine the pain that such a memory causes," he tells the Post, adding: "What has caused this stir is how those words have strengthened the hearts of people."
In his CNN interview, Khan also declared "Muslims hate the menace of terrorism as much as any other place," and called it "our duty to keep this country, our country, beautiful country, safe. We have always thought of that way. We will continue to do our part to keep it safe and beautiful."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.