UPDATED: Trump Says McCain Is ‘Not A War Hero,’ Walks It Back, Gets Slammed By GOP Rivals
Donald Trump is taking serious fire from many GOP rivals for his comments attacking John McCain’s war record.Â
At a campaign event in Ames, Iowa, Donald Trump continued his attacks on John McCain, after the U.S. Senator and 2008Â Republican Party presidential nominee had called Trump’s followers “crazies.”
“He’s not a war hero,” Trump told Family Leadership Summit moderator Frank Luntz. McCain spent more than five years as a POW in Vietnam, including two years in solitary confinement.
After the audience seemed unsure of how to respond, Trump immediately revised his remarks.
Trump slams McCain: He’s a war hero cause he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured http://t.co/MgvqFbJC9J http://t.co/VdtdxWMhBw
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) July 18, 2015
“He’s a war hero ’cause he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured, OK?,” Trump offered, explaining that he had supported McCain in 2008 by raising a million dollars for his campaign. Trump also lamented McCain losing the election because “he let us down. I never liked him as much after that ’cause I don’t like losers.”
“Perhaps he’s a war hero, but right now he’s said some very bad things about a lot of people,” Trump ultimately said.
It took Republicans 18 days to finally offer some criticism or concern over Trump’s jingoistic and racist remarks during his speech announcing he was entering the presidential race, but today Republicans were finally quick to unleash their attacks.
If there was ever any doubt that @realDonaldTrump should not be our commander in chief, this stupid statement should end all doubt.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 18, 2015
Enough with the slanderous attacks. @SenJohnMcCain and all our veterans – particularly POWs have earned our respect and admiration.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 18, 2015
As a fellow veteran I respect @SenJohnMcCain because he volunteered to serve his country. I cannot say the same about Mr. @realDonaldTrump.
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero, period. I’ll denounce any attack against his service and anyone else who wears the uniform. -SW
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) July 18, 2015
I can’t believe what I am reading this morning. Horrified. Disgusted. There are no words.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 18, 2015
After Donald Trump spends six years in a POW camp, he can weigh in on John McCain’s service
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 18, 2015
Noticeably absent from commenting on Trump’s remarks as of this writing are Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Mike Huckabee, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, George Pataki, and RNC Chair Reince Priebus.
UPDATE I: 2:54 PM EDT –
They are late to respond, but some of the above “noticeably absent” candidates are starting to weigh in:
America’s POWs deserve much better than to have their service questioned by the offensive rantings of Donald Trump
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 18, 2015
John McCain is an American hero. Although we have some policy disagreements, I’m proud to serve alongside him.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 18, 2015
UPDATE II: 3:13 PM EDT –
The difference between @SenJohnMcCain and @realDonaldTrump: Trump shot himself down. McCain and American veterans are true heroes.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 18, 2015
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Video, top via CBS News
Image: Screenshot via CNN embedded video/Twitter

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