Trump Says Capt. Humayun Khan Would 'Be Alive' if He Had Been President

The Khan family said the only thing "Donald Trump sacrifices is the truth."

ByABC News
October 10, 2016, 12:31 AM

— -- Donald Trump said Capt. Humayun Khan, a Muslim soldier who died in Iraq in 2004, be "alive today" if he were president at the time — despite going after his family when Hillary Clinton evoked them at the Democratic National Convention.

Khan's parents issued a statement shortly after the end of the second presidential debate, saying they "know" that their son "is an American hero."

"We also know that Donald Trump is not telling the truth when he says he was against the Iraq War," the Khan family said. "Our son served this country with honor and distinction and gave the ultimate sacrifice. The only thing that Donald Trump sacrifices is the truth."

During the debate Sunday night, Trump vehemently denied that he supported the war in Iraq, saying that it was a "disaster" and that Clinton was in favor of it. She said it was the "10th or 12th" time that he denied supporting the war.

"We have it on tape," she said. "But it never stops him from saying what he wants to say."

Trump said Humayun Khan "would have been alive today" if he had been "president at that time."

PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 2016.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 2016.

Clinton accused Trump of "never" apologizing to anyone, particularly Humayun Khan's family members, whom Trump berated after their appearance at the Democratic National Convention.

"He never apologized to Mr. and Mrs. Khan, the Gold Star family, whose son died in the line of duty in Iraq," Clinton said, adding that Trump "insulted and attacked them for weeks over their religion."

Clinton went on to say that even someone like Humayun Khan, who "sacrificed himself defending our country," is "subject to attack" by Trump.

Trump countered, calling Humayun Khan an "American hero" who would be "alive today" if he were "president at that time."

At the convention, Humayun Khan's father, Khizr Khan, asked, "Donald Trump, have you even read the U.S. Constitution?" because of the candidate's claims about Muslims.

At the time, Trump suggested that Ghazala Khan, Khizr Khan's wife, who appeared with him on the stage, may not have been allowed to speak.

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