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Gage Skidmore / flickr (CC BY 2.0) | Remix by Max Fleishman

Donald Trump mocks John McCain’s military service, draws ire from both parties

Trump had no comment on his own military service.

 

Mike Wehner

Tech

Posted on Jul 18, 2015   Updated on May 28, 2021, 8:11 am CDT

If there’s one thing you can say about Donald Trump, it’s that he doesn’t mind attacking his own party members just as much as the political opposition. Today, however, his comments weren’t just directed at a Republican and fellow politician, but a military veteran and former POW. 

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Speaking at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa, Trump targeted United States Senator John McCain, alleging that McCain’s popularity stems from the fact that he was a prisoner of war for over five years during his time as a U.S. Navy pilot. 

Trump’s remarks quickly drew the ire of politicians on both sides of the aisle, including many fellow Republicans. 

In a weak attempt at damage control, Trump later tweeted a vague non-apology that hasn’t seemed to calm the pitchfork-wielding Twitter mob one bit. 

Trump then posted a longer non-apology on Facebook

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As shocking as an attack on a war veteran and POW is, especially coming from a presidential hopeful, Trump’s bashing of McCain is just the latest in a long string of gaffes that include a jab at Jeb Bush’s wife and some decidedly racist remarks about Mexican immigrants

Photo via Gage Skidmore/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) | Remix by Max Fleishman

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*First Published: Jul 18, 2015, 3:45 pm CDT