Trump and McCain had squabbled with each other as far back as July 2015, when then-candidate Trump mocked McCain’s vaunted status as an American hero as being merely “because he was captured.”
“I like people who weren’t captured,” Trump said, sparking a fierce backlash.
After McCain’s death, politicians across the aisle released heartfelt statements of sympathy for McCain’s family and gratitude for the late senator’s service and character. But Trump’s tweet only offered his sympathies for McCain’s family.
Trump tweet
Read Trump’s full statement on McCain’s passing below:
Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment.
I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday.
At the request of the McCain family, I have also authorized military transportation of Senator McCain’s remains from Arizona to Washington, D.C., military pallbearers and band support, and a horse and caisson transport during the service at the United States Naval Academy.
Finally, I have asked General John Kelly, Secretary James Mattis, and Ambassador John Bolton to represent my Administration at his services.