Well, that settles it. President Trump hasn’t forgiven the late Senator John McCain. After McCain’s death this past week, the President has made little effort to express any sentiment about the former presidential candidate. (RELATED: McCain Dies At Age 81.)
This was already apparent early this morning when the White House rose the flag to full staff, rather than keep it at half-mast, despite many other federal buildings around Washington doing so. This was not a breach of protocol but demonstrated an unwillingness to honor McCain per the usual norms that take effect when a popular statesman passes. (RELATED: White House’s American Flag Flies at Full Staff After John McCain’s Death.)
This morning, Trump announced a preliminary deal on the reformed trade pact between the U.S. and Mexico. Though it’s a young agreement, and subject to change, it represents a big step forward in retooling our current trade agreement to be better balanced between countries. (RELATED: US And Mexico On The Brink Of New NAFTA Deal.)
After announcing the deal, reporters started berating the President about his relative silence on McCain’s death. This was Trump’s chance to correct the record on whether or not he still holds a low opinion about McCain. Trump’s answer left many shocked.
Take a look at some dispatches from reporters posting to Twitter from the Oval Office:
In the Oval Office just now I asked @realDonaldTrump if he had any thoughts on the legacy on John McCain. He heard me but did not answer. pic.twitter.com/reVwoJCMzV
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) August 27, 2018
Pres Trump declined to answer questions at the end of the announcement. Was asked to reflect on the legacy of Sen. McCain, but declined. Sat silent and cross-armed as press pool herded out of the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/Yzmqnxq14M
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 27, 2018
President Trump was asked if he had “any thoughts on the legacy of John McCain” just now in the oval. “He ignored three or four times.” pool reporter @jonkarl reports
— Noah Gray (@NoahGrayCNN) August 27, 2018
A video was captured of the incident as well:
“Mr. President, any thoughts on John McCain?” @jonkarl asks following Pres. Trump’s announcement on trade. “Any thoughts on the legacy of John McCain?”
Trump does not respond or take any other questions https://t.co/UOaOu6ZaN1 pic.twitter.com/2VxIr5ikgi
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 27, 2018
Trump’s silence speaks volumes. Clearly, he’s in no mood to say anything nice about Senator McCain or the enormous legacy he leaves behind.
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Trump already commented on McCain’s passing on Twitter, but the media is going to try to stoke this battle even more. They want to make Trump look bad in the end. He should be cautious how he addresses McCain’s death going forward.
