At Senator John McCain’s Funeral, Meghan McCain’s Eulogy Takes Aim at Donald Trump
At the late Senator John McCain’s funeral on Saturday morning, an invitation-only service held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and attended by a number of high-profile politicians, the late Senator’s daughter, Meghan McCain, delivered an emotional eulogy that rebuked current President Donald Trump. Though she did not mention the President (who had not been invited) by name, McCain seemed to take aim at previous comments Trump made about her father—specifically comments about McCain’s time serving in the US Navy, which he did for 22 years. “He’s not a war hero,” Trump previously said of Sen. McCain. “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.”
“The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great,” McCain said in her speech today, specifically referencing Trump’s infamous “Make America Great Again” slogan. The remarks drew applause from the crowd, an unusual reaction for a funeral setting. “We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness. The real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly.”
McCain continued, “The America of John McCain is, yes, the America of Vietnam, fighting the fight, even in the most grim circumstances, even in the most distant, hostile corner of the world, standing for the life and liberty of other peoples in other lands,” she said. “The America of John McCain is generous and welcoming and bold. She's resourceful, confident, secure. She meets her responsibilities. She speaks quietly because she's strong. America does not boast because she has no need to.”
The funeral service saw a number of high-profile politicians showing their support. Guests in attendance included Barack and Michelle Obama, George W. and Laura Bush, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. Though President Trump did not receive an invite to the service, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner were also in attendance.
Both Barack and George W. delivered eulogies as well. “President Bush and I are among the fortunate few who competed against him in politics,” Obama said in his speech. “He made us better presidents.” Bush also spoke of his and McCain's bitter rivalry during the 2000 Republican primary. “In the process, rivalry melted away and I got to enjoy one of life’s great gifts: the friendship of John McCain,” Bush said.
McCain passed away last Saturday after a battle with brain cancer.
Below, see more coverage of the funeral.
