Trump Sends Condolences to McCain Family, McCain Family Publicly Snubs Him
The New York Times reports that John McCain has asked former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to give the eulogies at his funeral, leaving President Donald Trump out of the process.
“Under initial plans for Mr. McCain’s funeral, Vice President Mike Pence was to attend, but not President Trump, who clashed repeatedly with Mr. McCain,” The Times reported.
That quarrel had come up right around the time of McCain’s last book earlier this year, which claimed that the president was neglecting our traditional allies and cozying up to strongmen.
Reports also surfaced that McCain would prefer Pence to attend in Trump’s stead, a move that prompted some criticism from the Republican side.
No official details about the funeral have been released, but if plans hold it would appear that the the president will be left out of the funeral entirely. The McCain family has not responded publicly to any of the Trump administration’s messages of condolence or announced any alteration in the funeral plans — a snub the left will no doubt be harping on for days.
Trump and McCain had a long history of verbal sparring that began in the earliest days of Trump’s campaign, something that often spilled out onto the Senate floor. As with most political rivalries, however, in the wake of McCain’s death, the Trump administration had seemed to put aside any disagreements as best as possible.
My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2018
“All of us at the Trump Campaign offer our sincere condolences to the family of Senator John McCain following his passing this evening,” a statement from Trump’s re-election campaign also read. “We encourage all Americans to take the opportunity to remember Senator McCain and his family in their prayers on this sad occasion.”
Vice President Mike Pence shared his condolences and the White House flag was lowered to half-staff.
Karen and I send our deepest condolences to Cindy and the entire McCain family on the passing of Senator John McCain. We honor his lifetime of service to this nation in our military and in public life. His family and friends will be in our prayers. God bless John McCain.
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) August 26, 2018
This evening, the @WhiteHouse flag has been lowered to half-staff in honor of Senator John McCain… pic.twitter.com/tYdBNK9bA7
— Dan Scavino Jr. Archived (@Scavino45) August 26, 2018
I am not a member of the McCain family and I have no idea what they must be processing at the moment.
A funeral for a family member is difficult enough, to say nothing about that family member being one of the most famous statesmen in the world.
This being said, I hope that the snub of the Trump family here isn’t completely intentional.
Yes, one can understand that the eulogies have long been set and that it’s certainly the choice of John McCain.
However, an absolute snub of the first family, even in terms of issuing a message, is carrying a petty rivalry well too far — especially considering the president’s personal message and his administration’s condolence.
Not only does seem small for a man who looms so large, it merely helps a left that was all too happy to attack McCain viciously until he became sick.
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