Locals React To The Latest Trump Controversy

Donald Trump’s latest campaign controversy…publicly arguing with the family of a fallen soldier.

Kzhir Khan, the father of a Muslim soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2004, blasted Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention.

Trump fired back, questioning whether or not ghostwriters wrote his speech, and wondering why his wife didn’t talk.

NDSU political science professor Dr. Nicholas Bauroth says politicians don’t go after military families like this.

“The thing that sort of lacks precedent is his continuing response to it,” says Dr. Nicholas Bauroth, NDSU Political Sciences Professor.

The blowback has been harsh…Republican politicians condemning Trump, along with the VFW.

His continued comments keep drawing attention.

“Distasteful,” says Fargo resident Jessica Herrera.

“Trump’s a hothead. I think he downgrades women. I think he says a lot of things he shouldn’t be saying,” says Fargo resident Scott Zadek.

Dr. Bauroth says Trump is likely doubling down on his controversial remarks because it’s an approach that has worked for him for years, well before he even became a political force. “It’s worked for him so long, why not continue it? It’s gotten him through the nomination process. Why not go with your basic instincts and see where it gets you?”

Both Trump supporters and opponents locally are slamming the candidate, who has called to ban Muslims from immigrating into the country.

“Dad’s an immigrant from Mexico, so it wasn’t the best in the first place. He doesn’t have the best attitude towards people of different races, so not the biggest fan of Donald Trump,” says Herrera.

“As a 12–year Marine, you’re supposed to honor anybody who served. So what he did, to me, was a slap in the face,” says Zadek.

Even then, for one Trump supporter, the latest gaff isn’t enough to turn him off.

“But at the same time. I can’t just look at one thing. I’ve got to look at it overall. If America wants to be a better country, it’s not gonna be done because of Hillary. It’ll be Trump,” says Zadek.

Trump says when relatives of military members killed in Banghazi attacked Hillary Clinton during the R–N–C, the Democratic candidate did not refute them.