Advertisement

Trump’s Muslim problem attacked by powerful Clinton advert

The Khan family's story of torment has been masterfully used in a Clinton advertisement.

The Khan family's story of torment has been masterfully used in a Clinton advertisement. Photo: Getty

As Donald Trump threatens to sue a growing number of women for accusing him of sexual molestation, Hillary Clinton has released one of the most powerfully personal ads of the election.

With the November 8 election approaching, the footage has reminded voters of the vast differences between Mr Trump’s and Mrs Clinton’s campaigns.

Mr Trump remains under siege over questions of character and attitudes to women, including claims over the weekend that he offered a porn star $10,000 to spend the night with him.

Meanwhile, Mrs Clinton has chosen to pitch to voters on inclusiveness and the higher ideals of American life.

The new ad features Khizr Khan, the father of slain US soldier and Muslim-American Humayun Khan.

Humayun Khan, 27, died in 2004 in Iraq when he ran toward a suicide bomber, saving the lives of hundreds of soldiers in the mess hall the bomber was headed toward.

The deeply emotional footage aims to make a mockery of Mr Trump’s repeated calls to ban Muslim immigration to the US over fears of terrorism.

Watch the ad:

In the ad, Khizr Khan – who is of Pakistani descent – speaks as he looks through remnants of his son’s time in the army.

The audience sees photos, certificates and insignias, and most poignantly, witnesses Khizr Khan hug the American flag.

The ad climaxes as Khizr Khan, fighting back tears, states: “My son was Captain Humayun Khan. He was 27 years old and he was a Muslim American.

“I want to ask Mr Trump; Would my son have a place in your America?”

The Khan story rose to prominence during the Democratic National Convention. It was this speech by Khizr Khan which provided one of the convention’s most powerful moments:

After Khizr Khan – joined on stage by his wife Ghazala – addressed the convention, Mr Trump entered into a five-day feud with the family.

Mr Trump questioned why Ghazala didn’t speak during her husband’s speech and also accused Khizr of “viciously attacking” him.

Mr Trump’s problem with Muslims

Mr Trump’s long campaign has been littered with racist comments toward Muslims.

The billionaire Republican presidential nominee made his most explicit call to ban Muslims from the US in December 2015.

Donald Trump debate

Mr Trump’s combative campaign often targets Muslims. Photo: Getty

At the final Republican debate for candidates for the nomination, Mr Trump said: “They’re [Muslims] not coming to this country if I’m president.”

Mr Trump’s campaign then went on to release a statement on the matter.

“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on,” it read.

Since those outlandish comments, Mr Trump has been less blatant in his denunciation of Muslims – by his standards anyway.

His current line – as of June 2016 – on a Muslim ban is to: “Suspend immigration from areas of the world when there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe, or our allies.”

Mr Trump has not given any more detail on which countries would be hit with bans.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.