Donald Trump rejected plans for White House statement praising John McCain – then played golf
Trump-McCain rift clear as president sends brief tweet and heads to play golf
US President Donald Trump nixed issuing a statement that praised the heroism and life of Senator John McCain, telling senior aides he preferred to issue a tweet before posting one Saturday night that did not include any kind words for the late Arizona Republican.
Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Chief of Staff John Kelly and other White House aides advocated for an official statement that gave the decorated Vietnam war POW plaudits for his military and Senate service and called him a “hero”, according to current and former White House aides, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations.
The original statement was drafted before McCain died Saturday, and Sanders and others edited a final version this weekend that was ready for the president, the aides said.
But Trump told aides he wanted to post a brief tweet instead, and the statement praising McCain’s life was not released.
“My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!” Trump posted Saturday evening soon after McCain’s death was announced.
Sanders declined to comment Sunday afternoon.