Pat Robertson Tells Trump to Stop Debating Father of Fallen Muslim Soldier
Controversial televangelist Pat Robertson believes Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump needs to focus on the economy and stop his back-and-forth with the parents of a fallen Muslim-American soldier.
Trump has garnered national attention for his attacks on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq.
During an episode of the long-running series "The 700 Club" that ran on Tuesday, Robertson argued that Trump should focus on the economy instead, saying, "the Lord has handed Mr. Trump a gift of 1.2 percent GDP growth, which is absolutely pathetic and horrible."
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Robertson continued, "1.2 percent, which is historically low. I don't think coming out of any recession have we ever had figures this low."
"If Trump would just stick to message. That's what they keep telling him. Just stay on message. Don't talk about Muslim heroes or fallen warriors or any of that stuff. Stay off that and talk about the economy."
Robertson went on to say that "with Christians, the devil will get you off on rabbit trails every chance you get."
"If you are susceptible to them and if you will respond, then he'll — there will be incitement constantly in your life," he added.
"You have to block all that stuff out and concentrate on the one thing that is important. In the election right now, stay on message. It is the economy."
Last month, Khizr Khan delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention with his wife by his side, denouncing Trump's comment that Muslim immigration should be stopped until security measures are enhanced.
In his speech, Khan argued that Trump was unfamiliar with the United States Constitution and that he cannot be trusted with the future of the nation.
"Our son, Humayun, had dreams, too, of being a military lawyer, but he put those dreams aside the day he sacrificed his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers," stated Khan.
"If it was up to Donald Trump, he never would have been in America. Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims. He disrespects other minorities; women; judges; even his own party leadership. He vows to build walls, and ban us from this country."
Since then, Trump has attacked the Khan family for criticizing him, receiving denunciations from many prominent Republicans.
Although Robertson and Trump's advisers have told him to move away from attacking Khan, The New York Times notes that he has doubled down on his rhetoric.
"For days, Mr. Trump's top advisers and allies have urged him to move on from the feud, which erupted when Mr. Khan criticized him at the Democratic convention, and focus instead on the economy and the national security record of his Democratic opponent," reported the Times.
"Yet, facing outcry on the left and right, Mr. Trump has insisted to associates that he has been treated unfairly by Mr. Khan, the news media and some Republicans, said people familiar with the campaign's deliberations who insisted on anonymity to discuss them."
