John McCain: Donald Trump Never Apologized For 'Captured' Insult
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said President Donald Trump never apologized for saying he wasn’t a war hero. But in a candid interview with “60 Minutes,” the veteran politician said “life is too short” to dwell on Trump’s disparagements.
McCain, who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, added that his recent opposition to Republicans’ attempts to repeal Obamacare had absolutely nothing to do with his troubled relationship with the commander-in-chief.
“If I took offense at everybody who has said something about me, or disparaged me or something like that ― life is too short. You’ve gotta move on,” the 81-year-old told Lesley Stahl in an interview that aired Sunday.
McCain added if he had allowed a “personal relationship” to cloud his judgment on “an issue of this importance to the nation … then I’m not doing my job.”
Trump infamously said at a 2015 event in Iowa that McCain was “not a war hero” because he was “captured” during the Vietnam War. McCain endured torture and solitary confinement when he was a prisoner in Hanoi for five and a half years.
“I like people who weren’t captured,” said Trump, who was a presidential candidate at the time.
McCain told Stahl that the president never apologized for his inflammatory comments.
When asked if he would consider “rapprochement” with Trump, however, the senator ― who recently wrote an op-ed calling the president “poorly informed” and “impulsive” ― said he would be “glad to converse with him,” but noted that “we’re very different people” with “different upbringing … [and] life experiences.”
“He is in the business of making money and he has been successful both in television as well as Miss America and others,” McCain said of the president. “I was raised in a military family. I was raised in the concept and belief that duty, honor, country ... is the lodestar for the behavior that we have to exhibit every single day.”
McCain, who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, also opened up about his “poor” cancer prognosis, saying that doctors had not been optimistic about his odds of beating the disease.
“Some say 3 percent, some say 14 percent. You know, it’s a very poor prognosis,” he said.
McCain stressed, however, that he intends to continue doing his job as a senator and “at the same time, [celebrating] with gratitude a life well-lived.”
“I am more energetic and more engaged as a result of this [cancer diagnosis] because I know that I’ve got to do everything I can to serve this country while I can,” he said.
Watch the entire interview in the video below:
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Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. pic.twitter.com/SO4XYgnyug
— President Trump (@POTUS) July 20, 2017
John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known. Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2017
John and I have been friends for 40 years. He's gotten through so much difficulty with so much grace. He is strong - and he will beat this.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 20, 2017
John McCain is as tough as they come. Thinking of John, Cindy, their wonderful children, & their whole family tonight.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 20, 2017
.@SenJohnMcCain is a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country. pic.twitter.com/Ld2lQH1mMn
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) July 20, 2017
.@SenJohnMcCain has always been a warrior. It's who he is. All of us, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans, are behind him. pic.twitter.com/B6iDpPultM
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) July 20, 2017
.@SenJohnMcCain is a hero, a patriot and a fighter. I am privileged to call him a friend. Paul & I pray for his recovery and his family.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) July 20, 2017
As he’s shown his entire life, don’t bet against John McCain. Best wishes to him for a swift recovery.
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) July 20, 2017
Following is a statement by @GeorgeHWBush on @SenJohnMcCain. pic.twitter.com/x8kIStWz7p
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) July 20, 2017
Hang in there @SenJohnMcCain. You're tough! You can beat this. Fight, fight, fight! I am proud to call you my friend.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) July 20, 2017
To say @SenJohnMcCain is a fighter is an understatement. Time and time again, he has shown all of us how to be courageous under fire.
— Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (@SenatorHeitkamp) July 20, 2017
Counting on the legendary John McCain strength to give cancer its toughest fight ever. Rooting for you, dear friend.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) July 20, 2017
Hey John! We can't wait to welcome you to the club. You got this! ❤️@SenJohnMcCain #cancersurvivors
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) July 20, 2017
I love @SenJohnMcCain. Unbeatable, unbreakable. He's Teddy Roosevelt's "man in the arena" even when we're on opposite sides. God bless. pic.twitter.com/0sBY4QynWp
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) July 20, 2017
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.