Donald Trump Has Gone Too Far This Time | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Donald Trump Has Gone Too Far This Time

After Donald Trump belittled the pain and sacrifice of a Muslim American family who lost their son in service of our nation, he finally crossed the line for me.

16
Donald Trump Has Gone Too Far This Time
The Intercept

Look, it's no secret that I am not a big fan of Donald Trump. The reasons why are too numerous to put to page, and it's probably already on this website somewhere anyway. Even before he decided to run for president, Donald Trump got under my skin. I've always found him callous, rude, unrealistic and buffoonish. But he's finally crossed, at least to me, a point of no return.

In an ABC interview with George Stephanopoulos which aired Sunday, July 31, Donald Trump criticized the family of Capt. Humayun Khan, a Muslim American soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2004. Khizr and Ghazala Khan, Humayun's parents, appeared at the Democratic National Convention and spoke out against Trump's remarks deriding Muslim Americans. Trump, who has proposed banning entry of Muslims into the nation, wishes to close some mosques and place others under unconstitutional government surveillance, and has not ruled out having a national registry of Muslims on American soil, fired back at the Khan family. He first suggested that Mrs. Khan, as a Muslim woman, was not permitted to speak by her husband. Then, responding to Mr. Khan's rebuke, "You have sacrificed nothing and no one," Trump replied that he has "made a lot of sacrifices... I've created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, built great structures."

That right there is where he crossed the line for me.

Donald Trump, if you had a heart, you'd be ashamed. You actually just said that because you built a few sleazy casinos and slapped your name on some ties, steaks, and a phony university, you had made an equitable sacrifice to a family who lost their son in the service of this nation? You are disgusting. Now, I have no doubt your response to all this would be, "Yeah, but he started it!" Did he though? With all of your rhetoric against certain demographics within this country, you'll find that you're going to anger some people you'll wish you hadn't. You're a public figure open to critique, and you're getting some of what you dished out— you just happen to be getting some of it from someone our nation has deep respect for.

The Khans are part of a group that comprise our nation's most revered people, the Gold Star families. A Gold Star family is one who had a loved one be killed in action while serving our country. Every American soldier who has laid down their life died to defend this nation and our way of life. When we as a nation render respect to Gold Star parents like Mr. and Mrs. Khan, we do so knowing that they gave a piece of their very soul for this country. To this day, Mrs. Khan cannot even look at a picture of her son; as she said, Mr. Trump, that is why she seemed so quiet to you the night she was at the DNC.

Mr. Trump, how can you wish to be a leader of this proud nation, and yet belittle the pain suffered by those whose loved ones fell for that nation? How can you simultaneously pursue being Commander-in-Chief while you insult the more than 5,000 Muslim soldiers who wear our country's uniform? I do truly wonder, as Mr. Khan asked, if you have actually read the Constitution. Do you know what this nation stands for? Do you understand that American citizens have a right to equal representation before the law, regardless of religion, race, nationality, or creed?

Lastly, Mr. Trump, I pray you never feel the real sacrifice that the Khans—and so many other American families—have felt. I pray that no one feels that sort of pain. That said, never belittle their pain again, especially just because of their religion. Enough of your callous comments, Mr. Trump. If you want to be the leader of the land of the free, act like it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1175
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2637
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2755
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments