AMES, IA — Each time Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is given a public platform, he manages to offend even more Americans. On Saturday morning he took aim at Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and veterans, saying McCain is “not a war hero” because he was captured during the Vietnam War.
“He’s a war hero cause he was captured,” Trump said during the Family Leadership Summit. “I like people that weren’t captured.”
Trump later told press that he would not apologize to McCain and that McCain picked the fight. The two have been feuding since McCain said that Trump is “firing up the crazies” after people gathered in Arizona to support the candidate who called immigrants from Mexico “rapists.”
McCain endured five and a half years as prisoner of war after he was shot down over Hanoi and badly injured — two of those years were spent in solitary confinement.
Other Republican candidates quickly tried to distance themselves from Trump’s remarks:
As a fellow veteran I respect @SenJohnMcCain because he volunteered to serve his country. I cannot say the same about Mr. @realDonaldTrump.
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) July 18, 2015
After Donald Trump spends six years in a POW camp, he can weigh in on John McCain's service
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 18, 2015
Enough with the slanderous attacks. @SenJohnMcCain and all our veterans – particularly POWs have earned our respect and admiration.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 18, 2015
If there was ever any doubt that @realDonaldTrump should not be our commander in chief, this stupid statement should end all doubt.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 18, 2015