Donald Trump mocked John McCain – and by extension other members of the armed services held as prisoners of war – saying that being captured by the enemy does not equal heroism.
“He’s not a war hero,” Trump of McCain, who as a Navy pilot was shot down over Vietnam. “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.”
McCain was tortured during his five and a half years as a prisoner of war and refused preferential treatment because of his father’s high rank in the Navy.
Republicans reacted with anger and outrage at Trump’s remarks, made Saturday at a forum in Iowa of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination.
Former Gov. Rick Perry, himself a veteran and a rival for the nomination, demanded that Trump withdraw form the race as unfit to serve as commander in chief.
“Donald Trump should apologize immediately for attacking Senator McCain and all veterans who have protected and served our country,” Perry said.
“As a veteran and an American, I respect Sen. McCain because he volunteered to serve his country. I cannot say the same of Mr. Trump. His comments have reached a new low in American politics,” Perry said. “His attack on veterans make him unfit to be commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, and he should immediately withdraw from the race for president.”
Former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida, who already has been lambasting Trump for comments about immigrants from Mexico, called Trump’s new remarks “slanderous.”