President Trump on Wednesday unleashed fresh criticism of John McCain, attacking the late GOP senator for his connection to a dossier of claims about the president and Russia, his vote against a Republican effort to repeal ObamaCare and his support for the Iraq War.
Trump spent five full minutes jabbing at McCain during an official White House event intended to highlight manufacturing in Ohio. The barbs marked the fourth time in the last five days that Trump has criticized McCain, who succumbed to brain cancer last August.
“I gave him the kind of funeral that he wanted, which as president I had to approve. I don’t care about this, I didn’t get a thank you. That’s OK,” Trump told workers at a tank factory in Lima, Ohio.
“We sent him on the way, but I wasn’t a fan of John McCain.”
The president stoked controversy in the days after McCain’s death last year when he waited to lower flags to half-staff and offer an official statement. He later did not attend McCain’s funeral at the family’s request.
The latest criticisms of McCain briefly turned Wednesday’s official White House event into a de facto campaign rally, where the president regularly excoriates his critics and rehashes his administration’s accomplishments.
During the event Wednesday afternoon, Trump read at least some of the remarks off a teleprompter, suggesting that the attacks on McCain were prepared.
He elaborated on his reasons for his long-running disdain for the Arizona Republican, starting with McCain passing along to federal law enforcement a dossier of allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia.
Trump went on to chastise McCain over his vote in 2017 that helped doom a GOP effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and criticized the late senator, a Vietnam War veteran, over his record on the Iraq War and the military.
“McCain didn’t get the job done for our great vets and the VA,” Trump said. “That’s why when I had my dispute with him I had such incredible support from the vets and on the military.
“We’re in a war in the Middle East that McCain pushed so hard,” he added, referring to the Iraq War.
Trump suggested that his extended diatribe against McCain would eliminate the need for future questions about why he continues to attack the late senator.
“Not my kind of guy,” Trump said. “But some people like him and I think that’s great.”
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#BREAKING: Trump says he gave McCain “the funeral he wanted,” complains he “didn’t get a thank you” https://t.co/2Euufb5Cgo pic.twitter.com/i08j9EzrmZ
— The Hill (@thehill) March 20, 2019
Trump just dumped on McCain again at the Ohio rally to dead silence.
Got some boos against McCain when he mentioned the dossier.
But the line fell totally flat.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 20, 2019
"A lot of people are asking me — because they love me — and they ask me about a man named John McCain," Trump said Wednesday, going off script when giving remarks at a Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio.
"I have to be honest. I've never liked him much," he continued. pic.twitter.com/MFBsV5JyZq
— POLITICO (@politico) March 20, 2019
“The country deserves better, the McCain family deserves better," Georgia Republican Johnny Isakson said.
"I don’t care if he’s president of United States,” he continued https://t.co/FrJVZMK1Zz
— POLITICO (@politico) March 20, 2019
They are military contractors and he is bashing a highly respected military man. Doesn't he get the disconnect?
— Vicki Marolt (@vmarolt) March 20, 2019
President Trump on John McCain: "I gave him the kind of funeral that he wanted, which as president I had to approve. I don't care about this – I didn't get thank you'd, that's okay… Not my kind of guy, but some people like him and I think that's great." https://t.co/OLAh9GGmoi pic.twitter.com/2RUlJAXPRB
— The Hill (@thehill) March 20, 2019
We can talk all day about how vile this is, but in the end, 30 to 40% of the public and a hard-core of grifters, rationalizers, and enablers are going to support this kind of behavior because it makes them feel better about themselves. https://t.co/619WIrlR1k
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) March 20, 2019
What part did he have veto power over? https://t.co/sP5JAaU4LB
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) March 20, 2019
Somebody get the hook, Trump is deranged.
By the way, the statement that Trump never liked McCain is a lie. Trump supported McCain’s presidential campaign and even donated to his campaign. So Trump must have liked McCain at one time.
Have I missed the MAGA analysis laying out how Trump attacking the memory of John McCain wins him votes or moves his agenda? Please send your hot takes. Note: claims he’s doing it on principle or that McCain deserves it neither count nor do they persuade anyone but the chorus.
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) March 20, 2019
George Conway: Trump is mentally deranged.
Trump: why didn't John McCain come back from the dead to thank me for throwing him a big funeral?
George Conway: I rest my case.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) March 20, 2019
National Cathedral says Trump didn't need to give "approval" for McCain funeral https://t.co/QaopysK32A pic.twitter.com/Hj5K6GUv1g
— The Hill (@thehill) March 21, 2019
Dear Trumpists who hate the GOP establishment because you completely wrongly think they never "won" anything or never resisted the Dems, there is no definition of political "fighting" that necessitates spitting on the grave of a dead war hero.
— David French (@DavidAFrench) March 20, 2019
A real American hero would’ve thanked you for their funeral without letting something like “being dead” get in the way. https://t.co/7Tvv1SBZMW
— Ben (@BenHowe) March 20, 2019
Yet another lie, apart from the disgrace of his attacks the late Sen. McCain. Again, his compulsion to lie knows no bounds. His mendacity is unprecedented for a public official. He debases his office, and all around him, especially those who shamelessly defend him. https://t.co/g6HqMRYeSv
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) March 22, 2019
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