PHOENIX - As backlash mounted against Donald Trump Monday regarding his comments towards the parents of a fallen Muslim American Army captain, Arizona Republicans were split when it came to supporting the presidential nominee.
“As an Arizonan, I was a delegate to the Republican National Convention and I chose not to go because I could not stomach casting a ballot for Mr. Trump,” said Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, the founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy.
Jasser who is a prominent Muslim, conservative, Republican and military veteran denounced Trump's comments targeting the parents of Humayun Khan, a Muslim American Army Captain killed in action in 2004.
Khan's father spoke out against Trump at last week's Democratic National Convention.
Jasser believes misinformation put out by the Trump campaign created a wedge for the Kahn family to enter on the Democratic side.
“Mr. Trump created the opening in our conservative movement for the Democrats to drive into that and even after that, his back and forth is an embarrassment,” said Jasser.
While Trump has since called Khan a hero, the presidential nominee's criticism of the Gold Star parents ignited a wave of backlash from veterans and their families.
“I don't think that he (Trump) went after Captain Kahn or the family,” said former Arizona State Senator Kelli Ward. “Mr. Kahn decided to politicize his son's death which is a terrible, terrible thing and I think his speech was wonderful up until point he decided to attack Donald Trump."
Ward, who’s running against fellow Republican John McCain in this month’s primary sees the Kahn controversy as a political ploy.
Ward’s husband is a 32-year veteran of the Air Force.
“It's basically a manufactured controversy, manufactured by the DNC and Hilary Clinton in particular,” she said, “and John McCain jumped right in.”
Ward took a jab at her opponent who Monday released a scathing statement against Trump's treatment of the Kahn’s but when asked if he'd still support Trump, McCain’s answer was yes.
“Anytime from now on when that question is asked, if I change my mind, I'll let you know,” he told reporters.
Several veterans' organizations have since called for Trump to apologize to the Kahn family.