Before I get into this Trump-McCain mess, it’s worth spending a moment on this absolutely amazing claim from Roger Stone. Roger Stone has been in Bob Mueller’s crosshairs for months and months, and just my opinion: Mueller will eventually send Stone to jail. Before that happens, Roger Stone wants you to know that he thinks Mueller will soon indict Don Trump Jr. Stone said in a weekend interview: “I [predict], based on excellent sourcing, that the special counsel is going to charge Donald Trump Jr. with lying to the FBI. Notice they’re not charging him for having an illegal meeting with a Russian at Trump Tower because there’s nothing illegal about that meeting.” I hope his sources are correct!
As for the Trump-McCain stuff – well, it was no secret that the two men loathed each other. John McCain lived long enough to plan his funeral and memorial service, and he wanted to ensure that his family never invited Trump to the funeral. He asked Barack Obama and George W. Bush to speak, and I assume both men will do so. Meanwhile, the only thing the Trump White House has said officially is… nothing. Trump used his personal Twitter account to make one statement and that was it. He apparently nixed the the official White House statement calling McCain a hero:
President Trump nixed issuing a statement that praised the heroism and life of Sen. 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 F. 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 spoke on the condition of 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 shortly after McCain’s death was announced.
I’m not in the business of defending Trump, and he’s absolutely behaving like a petty child. But… on the scale of offensive sh-t, this doesn’t really register. McCain and Trump loathed each other. McCain made it clear that he wanted his funeral to be one final F-U to Trump. Trump has accepted it, he hasn’t bad-mouthed McCain in death, and all he’s done is refuse to honor McCain’s life and legacy in any kind of official capacity. Trump still looks like an a–hole, for sure, but if someone died and they had made it clear that they didn’t want me involved in any way, I’m not sure I would react much differently?
But what’s really pissing off Trump is that the cable news stations spent the weekend doing coverage of McCain’s life and legacy. Which is probably why Trump tweeted this:
Over 90% approval rating for your all time favorite (I hope) President within the Republican Party and 52% overall. This despite all of the made up stories by the Fake News Media trying endlessly to make me look as bad and evil as possible. Look at the real villains please!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2018
Photos courtesy of Getty.
No, I disagree, it’s absolutely disgusting. We’ve never had anything like this. The flags at the WH are full staff this morning, an unheard of breach of norms. Meghan McCain actually goes around publicly stating she “hates” Hillary Clinton, yet Hillary, as always, comports herself with grace and class in the aftermath of McCain’s death. Does anyone believe President Obama would do anything like this, no matter what? No, he wouldn’t have. Honestly, I am so ashamed right now. This is no president.
Ugh… I don’t care about a phony statement, but the flags should def. still be half mast. Petty AF.
Yes, I agree, this was more shocking to me than any lack of statements from that moron. This was really something.
I agree with Darla – Trump should have risen above his petty, individual, personal problems with McCain because the office of the presidency is not about Trump, it’s about the American people needing to honor a great a patriot and war hero. But of course, that would never happen because we have a mentally unstable narcissist as president right now.
Trump is incapable of rising above petty disagreements because is entire life is one giant, petty disagreement with decency, courtesy, and civility.
Doesn’t even occur to him that he might be treated the same way at his passing.
Per the Washington Post, “U.S. Flag Code states that flags be lowered on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.” Apparently the sitting president can determine any additional length of time, as President Obama did for Senator Kennedy, when he asked for a 5-day half-mast flag above the White House.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-latest-senate-leaders-request-flags-stay-at-half-staff/2018/08/27/0ea6f672-aa11-11e8-9a7d-cd30504ff902_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5ea5831847ba
What? Seriously???? (About the flags.) That’s awful, and I was no fan of McCain.
Nor was I Anastasia. But yes, it is true, many reporters have been tweeting about it, including pictures.
Cadet Bone Spurs is howling about NFL players disrespecting the troops and yet he shows absolutely no respect for someone who voluntarily served his nation with great honor.
Mac, that is what I cannot understand! How can his supporters get riled up about the NFL protests, and at the same time excuse Trump’s horrific treatment of Veterans? Attacking POWs, attacking Gold Star Families, attacking veterans benefits.
How can someone who cares about veterans and troops support Trump?
I hear you. Trump doesn’t possess a shred of common decency and it’s so appalling it’s almost breathtaking, every day.
I could be wrong but I think some deplorables may be a little shaken by this. I know there’s tons of noise on both sides about McCain but the abandonment of norms regarding a “war hero” and longtime public servant does seem to have a few people looking askance at Trump who so far have not.
I actually think you’re wrong. The few deplorables I have had the misfortune of having contact with have lapped up all of the lies El Cheeto has spread about McCain, about how he betrayed his country and gave up information while he was a POW, etc. McCain spoke out against their beloved dictator, therefore McCain is evil. They are completely delusional and, IMO, beyond help. They are truly deplorables. Other Trump voters are starting to see the light, but it’s too little, too late.
Yes, I wonder if veterans and active duty who make up drump’s base will recoil at his treatment of McCain and his incredible military service. It’s the one issue that unites both Dems and Reps. But drump has used members of the US military shamefully as a prop. Would this make them see drump. for the vengeful, insecure monster that he is?
What Izzy said. I’ve been Twitter-beefing with callous aholes since McCain passed away. My experience has been that the deplorables couldn’t care less about his death nor his military service nor his political service. He was an enemy to Trump so he is an enemy to them. Horrible people.
@Indiana Joanna, this military veteran thinks 45 is a POS. While I didn’t agree with a lot of John McCain’s politics, the man was a true patriot and a war hero. He deserves to be honored and 45 would have cracked under the Vietcong in 5 minutes, let alone behaved with honor and dignity for 5 years. Hah!
It really is like they’re in a cult.
@H Sorry, didn’t mean to sound as though all military families support him. But yes drump, in fact most of us, would have cracked under the extreme brutality of McCain’s captivity. I just read that drump already had McCain in his sights to try to demean him back in the 1990s. It’s clear drump has always been jealous of McCain and his courage and toughness. Now that McCain is getting his just accolades drump is seething with rage and self pity.
His supporters lap up his trashiness and lack of common decency. They see it as him sticking it to the liberals and being the “alpha” male. It’s laughably ignorant and insane of course but those are the creatures that follow him. He’s now validated the Q theorists by inviting them into the WH and having a photo op. You should read their theories on McCain (i.e. he committed suicide b/c he was going to get arrested or something like that). That is the depravity that will continue to take hold and spread 🙁
I stand corrected, sigh. I guess my corner of Twitter is slightly more civil today. I don’t disagree that the deplorables are as bad as ever, but I thought I might have sensed a shift among those who reluctantly support Trump because…party over country. Just dreaming, I guess.
Keep in mind twitter still has a lot of Russian bots and they are sowing chaos on purpose. I think the number of real people okay with this behaviour toward an American war hero is much smaller than it seems online.
He’s a very spiteful, vindictive and little man. McCain served his country, was a POW for 5.5 years, A United States Senator he deserved the flag flying half staff until after his funeral. I hope when the dotard chokes I will witness, Gods willing, that people will treatment with the same disrespect he showed to others.
When he croaks there will be dancing in the streets, more fireworks than Fourth of July and worldwide jubilation. And, yes, Melania and Barron will be celebrating, too.
Agree. Whether or not you agreed with his politics, and I didn’t, 99% of the time, he was a true hero and patriot, and worked to build a bi-partisan bridge on a lot of issues. Of Ted Kennedy, he said: “Just because we can be adversaries, doesn’t mean we have to be enemies.”
McCain had integrity. Even if you don’t like what he stood for, you can respect that.
There is a meme in my Twitter feed with a pic of McC and Dump, side by side. Under one, it says: POW. Under the other: POS. Guess which is which 🤔
I think having to be a POW for several years (with lifelong consequences) makes up for his less than stellar actions as a young man…. I am aware of McCain’s flaws but he also had good qualities. In particular, he never allowed anybody to diss Obama for the usual Palinesque reasons. Joe Biden was his good friend for a reason, despite political differences.
It is absolutely ridiculous that the White House has refused to follow basic protocols when a Member of Congress dies and refuses to even mention McCain’s service as a POW. Here Trump wants to pardon a criminal like Manafort and ignores the unjust incarceration of John McCain as a POW. I don’t care if he sang like a little birdie to get needed medical treatment – I think they all should do that. And other countries do tell their troops to behave that way, none of this nonsense about name, rank, and serial number. Tell the captors anything they want to hear, as long as it doesn’t endanger your fellow prisoners. If they want you to play in their silly propaganda videos – go ahead, you know Americans will just laugh at it and know you’re doing it under duress. Such things have never had an impact on Americans but are really more for domestic consumption.
Also believe that Trump should have risen to the occasion. On top of it Trump put the same tweet along with a picture of himself. My ex and I did not part ways on good terms. I still went to his father’s funeral when he passed away. Something you just have to put your differences aside and man up.
I think those two things – Trump and acting according to the expression ‘rise to the occasion’ – do not exist on the same planet, nay, same universe. As his campaigning and presidency continue on and with everything we have witnessed so far, I am by now convinced that no common decent feelings and ethical behaviour can be found in Donald Trump. I am not usually someone to not still see hope for a person and the ability to change, give people the benefit of the doubt etc. etc., but with Trump I do think there is just… no humanity in his heart and mind. He is the ultimate narcisisst.
Jimmy Carter and John McCain never liked one another and neither had any qualms about showing it. Saw Carter a few years ago here at the JFK Library and somebody asked a question about McCain. Carter’s immediate response was to call McCain a warmonger before going into a deeper explanation of why they disagreed. But even Carter issued a respectful statement recognizing McCain’s integrity, patriotism, and service. Something that Trump is incapable of doing.
Meghan McCain is garbage and so is her plagiarizing husband.
Yes……I really, reallly, REALLY cannot stand Meghan Mccain. I suspect she would be a big, deplorable, trumpite if her father wasn’t locked in that feud with him.
Once in a while I’ll watch the View, and Meghan McCains snobby voice and attitude is why I change the channel. No matter how much Trump has insulted her father, she’ll stick up for Trump just because he’s a Republican.
I don’t care for Meghan either. I follow a sampling of reasonable Republicans on Twitter, but a few months ago she said something so idiotic, uninformed and crass about Hillary and Obama that I unfollowed her. I have no interest in her opinions.
It is the other way round, he shouldn’t have made the twitter statement, but should have let the offical statement pass. That’ s how professionals usually behave.
That’s terrible – the flag was briefly lowered, but I bet Dump threw a fit and they had to put it back up.
It’s also disgraceful that there is no official White House statement. It’s just so petty and childish, but not unexpected.
Most senators, regardless of whether they agreed with him or not, seemed to like and respect McCain quite a bit. They could show that by standing up to Dump, finally, but it won’t happen.
My god. Yet another reminder that tRump is a scummy scrote. 🇦🇺
While I would never “look forward” to a funeral, Obama’s eulogy is going to be amazing. I fully expect his remarks to go down in the history books as one of the finest eulogies of all time.
I totally agree, Darla.
This is a really big deal. Once again, Trump shows that he can’t handle the most basic duties of the Presidency, even when they involve simply being respectful to someone after they die.
He is petty deep into his core. It guides how he handles the pomp and circumstance, AND how he handles the bigger issues like trade and war.
I was curious how long the flag should have flown at half-staff so I looked it up. The rule is “On the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress”, so in this instance it looks like the Trump admin was following protocol returning it to full staff today, as much as I know we don’t like to hear that, lol!
I think this is probably a case of “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should”.
That doesn’t matter. long standing norms and actual protocol is through interment. And in fact, the American Legion released a statement today nearly begging trump to lower the flag until then.
Oh and guess what, they just lowered it again. I guess the uproar and the american legion pressured him into it. Remember, there are no rules. There is decency and long standing norms, and protocol. This is why this animal has been able to get away with so much. Because he has no decency and doesn’t care about norms. The minute we begin to make excuses that “it’s not a law” or “it’s not a rule”, that’s when he wins, and america further descends
Barack Obama, a man of grace, generosity, and humanity, kept the flag lowered for five days following Ted Kennedy’s death.
@darla, Oh trust, I’m definitely not making excuses for Trump, he’s awful, I was just curious what the protocol is. Given McCain’s status this was rude but in the long line of things Trump has done I can’t muster up any outrage over how long they lowered the flag. I’m almost amazed they did at all considering what a crappy turd Trump is.
This is from 20 minutes ago, so someone at the WH must’ve gotten through to Trump:
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/27/john-mccain-death-white-house-flag-full-staff-797461
Former Army Officer here. I think the fundamental problem with the way Trump handled this is that, as President, Trump is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Regardless of whatever petty political beef he had with McCain, McCain was a war hero who deserved to be recognized as such. The fact that the Commander in Chief of the Military responded to his death with a tweet and almost immediate raising of the flags was an incredible insult, not just to McCain, but to all soldiers. McCain’s service record should transcend political boundaries (as clearly evidenced by the gentlemen scheduled to give his eulogies). Respectfully Kaiser, I do think this is a big deal to a lot of service members.
“He hasn’t bad-mouthed McCain in death”… It’s only been two days. You bet it’s gonna come soon.
I’m ready for the next president. Hopefully we will have a return to common decency and civility and a respect for differing viewpoints. It’s never more clear to me how unprecedented the awfulness of Trump is then when I see EVERY LIVING PRESIDENT reconcile differences with each other and move forward as friends. I love to see the presidents standing together on things. And trump never ever joins them. He’s so divisive. And petty. And we could all go on and on about it.
Trumps behavior toward McCain is reprehensible. And par for his course.
One of McCain’s friends said that no one close to McCain cares about what Trump doesn’t say. He said it wouldn’t bother McCain a bit and that even if Trump does make a statement, it would mean…
“LESS THAN A DEGREE FROM TRUMP UNIVERSITY.”
Ha ha ha! I think this was in the Washington Post.
Perfect. And knowing McCain’s public persona, I don’t doubt that one bit. RIP.
I read this zinger last night too. Hilarious and just perfect.
I mean what did anyone expect, he’s a toddler, always has been always will not matter what. He will never do the respectable decent thing if it involves setting aside his personal feelings. He said the man wasn’t a hero because he got captured. This coming from Sargent bone spurs. There is no rock bottom here people.
Now, now, no need to promote his rank! He’s Cadet Bone Spurs. 🙂
@lucky charm, thank you for correcting me! Even in a joke I don’t want to give him more credit.
@arpeggi so true about the golf course. Pathetic.
I won’t even label him cadet. I call him Benedict Bonespurs.
Hahaha! I read that too and lol’ed, that article was pure snark.
It was also a good reminder that while President DraftDodger always says that he loves the vets and the army, he hasn’t been to visit active troups yet, in all his 19 months of presidency… McCain spent most of the 4th of July post 9/11 in Afghanistan with the soldiers. But hey! There’s no Trump golf course in Kabul so why would he go there.
No golf course in Kabul, and, HORRORS, he might be in a teeny bit of danger. Not anything comparable to what our forces face daily, or to what McClain, a true hero, faced. How upsetting for Dumpy that there are no medals for breaking the record of presidential rounds of golf. I’m looking forward to the day that Melania wears a blouse that says “I’m With Stupid” on the back!
McCain, McCain, McCain! Not McClain…spelling fail.
Ha!! BURN!
I wonder if Bernie Sanders will be at the funeral or memorial service?
I saw a tweet from Bernie expressing his condolences and calling John a “good friend”. I think it says a lot about the man that he was still greatly respected by high profile people on the other side of the political aisle as well as his own. People like Joe Biden called him a friend. And he wanted his political opponent Barack Obama speaking at his funeral. I think this speaks volumes about his character. His concession speech to Obama really showed him to be a class act.
McCain had tough campaigns against both Obama in 2008 and Bush in 2000, so I agree it is very telling he asked them both to speak.
Also what he said about Obama at the Alfred Smith dinner just a couple of weeks before the election. Very classy..
As a matter of respect and courtesy, I expect every sitting and former Senator will attend.
I rewatched his concession speech to Obama last night. Throughout the beginning, on each occasion where someone in the crowd boo’ed Obama’s name McCain completely stopped his speech and shushed the boo’ers. After a few of these interruptions you could see the crowd settle down and really listen to what John McCain was saying. You heard not one more boo.
Such graciousnesness in the jaws of defeat. It reflected the character that McCain possessed and how he viewed America: the election itself was much bigger than his feelings of disappointment, and his opponent thoroughly deserved to reap his just rewards as he new leader of our country. Trump the man could never hold a candle to McCain, just as Trunp the president cannot hold a candle to Obama.
Look, I loathe Donald Trump with the fire of a thousand hells. But I’m not gonna get upset about him refusing to issue some transparently disingenuous statement. The people who were criticizing him for not saying nicer things about McCain would’ve just criticized him for being insincere if he had.
That being said, President Petty AF is just abhorrent for bragging instead. And for lying about the numbers he bragged about.
Let’s also not forget that President Racist AF also didn’t acknowledge yet another white mass shooter.
That’s exactly what a WH rep said — that if he’d said something inconsistent with his previous comments about McCain, then “the story would become about him instead of McCain.” As someone said on Twitter: “Awful person has to keep being awful because of past awfulness.”
I wanna clarify: When I said I don’t care about Trump refusing to issue a nice statement, I meant on Twitter. Obviously President Petty AF is being Petty AF not to release the WH statement because that represents the whole WH staff and the VP, Pence, none of whome Trump should be speaking,or not speaking, for. I’m surprised nobody has picked up that censorship. The whole WH does not have to agree with the President, except in Trumpland. And as noted, he could’ve left his name off it.
No excuse for no official WH statement or for the flags not being half-mast till after McCain’s burial. No other solider would be treated this way, especially a former POW.
But the story is now about him not lowering the flag. So, the story is still about him.
““Awful person has to keep being awful because of past awfulness.”
Just imagine that I posted the Kristen Bell laughing-to-crying gif here….
Wouldn’t it be nice if he refused to issue transparently disingenuous statements? He might almost be accused of being presidential.
Zzzzing.
Who in their right mind still approves of Trump?
Take a look at the Rethugs running for office in Florida. They’re all running on the basis of who’s the biggest sucker of trump’s d1ck. And it’s working.
Never underestimate the ability of Florida voters to vote against their own interests. 🙄
Blackburn is doing the same thing in TN. Her ads are about how she supports him. Her opponent (Bredesen) was a sensible governor who is running on his proven ability to do what is right for the people, not party. It ought to be common sense who would make the best Senator, but who knows.
I live in Florida and every time I see a Ron DeSantos or Andrew Putnam political ad I want to blow up my television. They are so far up 45’s butt it’s not even funny. I live in a predominantly red area but I am going to vote for every Democrat on the ticket. I hope we get Gwen Graham for governor.
To be fair, the 2 republicans that ran in the primary for governor of TN on the “Trump train” got soundly defeated. Also, Blackburn is hated by a lot of people in TN because she refuses to back legislation to protect Tennessee Walking horses from soring. I believe Bredesen will win easily. Fingers crossed. If TN sends a democrat to the Senate, Trump’s head will explode. If TN can do it, it can happen anywhere!
@H. I’m in Mobile, close to state line, so in addition to the crap ads from Alabama Rs, I get all the Florida ads, too. DeSantis is particularly stomach churning. Good luck in defeating that a$$hole.
I am in Florida as well and it’s the old white conservative retirees who will push this state red.Scott the crook may win over Nelson because of this vote
It makes me sick seeing people still wearing MAGA hats and approving of everything Trump does. Time for them to turn off FOX News and take the blinders off
They don’t. According to the news this morning he read the poll wrong and Tweeted out wrong facts. Go figure.
90% disapproval would make more sense.
Where in the world did he get those numbers? Was it a poll just of people who voted for him and will do so again?
3 words: cult of personality
My dad will if this nightmare lasts through 2020. He won’t do it because he likes Trump either, he’ll do it just to be a dick and to knowingly piss off liberals. That’s all some people want now.
And I’ve also seen campaign adds in Arizona disparaging Democrats because of how they go against ‘the president.’ I can’t wait for it to be November 7th.
It actually rates pretty high on the awful meter because McCain…whatever one feels about his politics…is the embodiment of an American patriot. Anyone who still supports Trump after this has their patriot card cancelled. Done.
McCain is being shown a lot of respect, at the funeral home he’s at, here in Phoenix. Yesterday, I saw Airmen standing guard in the morning and Sailors standing guard last night, in addition to State Troopers. People have left lots of notes, flowers, etc., as well.
I expect it will be a memorial that Phoenix won’t soon forget. Here in MA, people got out of their cars on both sides of the highway to stand in respect when Ted Kennedy’s hearse passed on its way to his brother’s presidential library for his wake and again, in the pouring rain, the day of his funeral. The lines for his wake snaked around the building, through the parking lot and onto the UMASS Boston campus. People will come to pay their respects to one of the last lions of the Senate. We will not see their likes again for a long time, if ever.
Lightpurple, “We will not See their likes again for a long time, if ever.”
That is one of the things that upsets me so much. With McCain gone, where are the Statesmen? Where are those who would reach across the aisle to pass needed legislation? Where are those who put their nation above their party? In the age of Dumpy, every vote is weaponized, and it hurts all.
Seeing the respect that people from all walks of life are paying to Sen. McCain here in AZ is uplifting. I wish Trump were here because his head would be exploding. He can ignore McCain’s passing all he wants, but that will make people all the more responsive to display their sadness and show their respect for the senator throughout the country.
Emperor Zero has nothing going him these days. I heard, too, about the possibility that Don Jr was in the sights of the Feds. It’s going to be a busy ten days for prosecutors, as they have that amount of time, before the two month shutdown before the election, to gets some more rats. I’m hoping they ignore the two month window and just keep indicting Trump kids.
Oh and EZ? Even the dead treat you like garbage. Enjoy the words at McCain’s funeral by GWB and Obama.
In a matter of months, a sitting president been omitted from two high-profile funerals and a royal wedding. That speaks volumes. But I’m sure the problem is everyone else, right?
Yes, I had lunch with a friend who was saying that the rumour mill is suggesting that all 3 Trump kids could be indicted before the shutdown in an attempt to force him to resign (as in they will drop some charges against him to walk away from the WH) – i said that will never happen, Trump will happily throw his own progeny even daughter/wife under the bus to save his own fat orange ass. She also said that rumour is Kushner has flipped and thats why he hasn’t been seen or heard from in a while. She follows all sorts of twitter accounts from political hawks so am not sure how true any of this is.
Either way Mueller has been gearing up for this for a while and he’s just started gathering steam – there will be more indictments or stories of people flipping for immunity over the next 2 weeks. Last week was a taste of whats to come for him and his GOP co-horts.
Eric, appreciate your optimism about what’s happening, but this article is rather disturbing:
‘Sleeper’ case could torpedo Mueller report
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/27/robert-mueller-special-counsel-report-sleeper-case-797373
I was listening to a podcast with the guy who re-wrote the rules in the 90s regarding special counsel investigations into the Presidency. When Mueller is finished, if he wants to indict, he tells Rosenstein. If Rosenstein decides he doesn’t support the indictment, then the law MANDATES that congress get a report on Mueller’s findings and reasoning from Rosenstein WHY the indictment wasn’t allowed to proceed.
And in his one statement, there’s a picture of HIM, not McCain.
WHERE is he getting those 90% approval numbers? His ass????
AFAIK, it is a deliberate mis-reading of an NBC poll. 52% disapprove and the 90% is, well, his base.
Ok, that makes sense. Those numbers caught my attention more than Trump not memorializing someone he hated.
That explains it. I was all “Who are these sick people?!”
Trumpy kant reed good.
That picture proves he’s an egotistical prick who needs everything to be about him. I’m curious about the approval numbers. When polls make him look bad,he claims “fake news, ” but I think he pulled these numbers out of thin air, or his blubbery, orange ass
The bots who have incorporated themselves into every aspect of this country.
If 45 had okayed the official White House statement would anyone really be giving it much attention? With just a generic tweet the focus is back on 45. He can not stand being ignored.
That said, with Sen. Mccain’s funeral set for this week and the fact John McCain had made it known he does not want 45 invited to the furneral. I would not be surprised if 45 pulls some stunt to take attention away from coverage of John McCain.
Jeff Sessions might want to brush off his resume…..
If he had released the White House official statement it would have shown he had some class, now we are positive he has no class what so ever. The dotard might want to show his taxes before Mr Mueller has to it’s going to be a hundred times worse than we even imagine, IMO. Btw, the dotard believes he’s invincible but the SDNY is coming for him and his family, it’s not going to be a peaceful life for the lying conman.
I’ll bet he said plenty of s#%t to his regular bunch of rich old white men golfing this weekend..the contrast between the two men just magnifies trump’s total cowardice-the bully that screams who’s scared of absolutely everything and has never held a moral conviction in his life.
He also posted an Instagram mention of McCain with a huge, ugly picture of himself.
White House flags are flying at full staff this morning, a flagrant and deliberate breach of the norm when a Senator dies.
Trump is not King, he is President and he is disgracing the office with this petty, hateful behavior.
What is the norm, LP? I’d assume half mast till the funeral?
The norm is internment, which will be next Sunday for McCain. This is a deliberate insult. Orange Voldy’s goal is usually to dominate the news cycle, well, he got that this morning. White House phone lines open in 15 minutes. Let’s shut them down, shall we?
Thank you, @Lightpurple. I just tried calling but the lines are busy. I wonder if they have a fax number.
I’m seeing people on the DailyFail saying that he’s following the proper protocol…. I’m wondering what’s given them that false impression? Who’s spreading that lie?
When calling the White House, use the switchboard line instead of the Comment line. You’ll just get a busy signal on the Comment line but you’ll get through after a brief recording on the Switchboard line. Tell the operator why you’re calling and she’ll put you through directly to the Comment line. I was on hold for about 2 minutes.
Someone needs to tell the Orange Idiot that the WH belongs to the nation, not to him. And as such, the accepted practice should go on. But I guess he is too petty and pitiful to lay his head under a flag at half mast in honor of McCain.
Seriously, is anyone really surprised by this? Just more of the same from the Trump Dog and Pony Show.
Are those approval ratings real??
The flags not being at half mast is a new low but surprisingly not a shock. He uses the office of the President to take personal pot shots and act out his petty vengences regularly so hardly shocking behaviour from a disgusting thing.
Another fatal mass shooting and he’s tweeting about fake media picking on him again. Seriously when will this end? I sincerely hope Don Jr. is charged, it’ll send his father over the edge.
Who puts an exclamation mark at the end of a condolence statement?!
And I think the WH refusing to acknowledge McCain’s death is awful. He was a POW for 6 or 7 years! Shameful.
Someone who writes like they are in junior high school (no offense to kids everywhere).
Nope. He’ll freak out over a peaceful protest by NFL players taking a knee because it’s “disrespectful” to military or whatever but won’t actually honor a military veteran and former POW who served his country with honor?? When you are the president you need to be able to put your own feelings aside for the sake of the office you hold and Dump can’t do that.
I disagreed with McCain on his politics but you can’t tell me he didn’t play fair and show respect during his time. He deserves more. And I’m not even American.
I agree. He doesn’t have to fawn over McCain but he could make reference to McCain’s service, even briefly. But he. is. not. capable.
I hope every single veteran takes note of Trump’s refusal to lower that flag this morning.
They won’t. Not all of them, anyway. *sigh*
I come from a family of Vets and this is a true statement. The flagman himself who curses football players over it, refuses to follow proper procedure to lower the flag. I don’t know why anymore I expect anything different from him. Senator McCain got the last laugh, so to speak. By having his two former rivals for the Presidency deliver eulogies, and his desire for trump NOT to even attend his funeral speaks volumes. Take that orange boy. Somebody please please tell him to stop with the exclamation points. Simpleton. RIP Senator McCain. *In the midst of this all, I hate that I hate the president. I was brought up to respect the office, even if I didn’t agree who was elected.* With that said, who would have ever thought…………….
It is hard to imagine any veteran being able to overlook that flag snub.
I confess, I don’t get why the WH isn’t pressed more on the disconnect. How is every journalist not asking every WH official and member of the Senate and Congress how the President’s stance on the NFL kneeling is not undermined by his treatment of veterans? That would include his policies regarding the VA and support for veterans as well as his attacks on individual veteran and his failure to acknowledge the contributions of service members. It is truly stomach churning how he leverages the sacrifices of those who serve their country to stoke the fires of faux patriotism to push through policies that harm the people he is using. Maybe an unrelenting spotlight on it won’t change the support of the willfully blind, but at least history will fully record his hypocrisy.
Given that quite a few veterans (and wives of veterans) still voted for him even after his reprehensible comments about McCain not being a hero because he was captured, then I’m sure they’ll have no problem continuing to support him after a flag snafu.
It’s all relative, I guess. In terms of the other things he’s done… it’s kind of low on the pathetic scale, I guess. But if any other ‘proper’ president had done this it’d be absolutely surprising and kind of horrifying.
Part of me thinks McCain would like to know that Trump nixed any official statements – he still takes up space in his head, and he KNOWS McCain did more for his country than he ever could manage. I think that would have given McCain some satisfaction, honestly.
And really – if I were the family – I wouldn’t want my loved ones name coming out of that abominable cheetoh’s mouth. I’d have been so enraged if he did any more than what he did after the kind of comments he’s made over the last couple years.
I didn’t agree with a lot of John McCain’s politics. But you can’t deny that the man selflessly put his life on the line for his country. He was a war hero, and he spent his last days fighting cancer. He was tough as hell, and he’s so many things that Trump would love to be thought of, but could never even begin to live up to.
Trump has never done anything “for his country”. He has no history of public service ever. He does what he does for himself only. He is an extreme narcissist and the rest of the world (including his family) doesn’t count. He blathers on, saying whatever he thinks people want to hear even if that contradicts what he said yesterday or five years ago. That’s it. No sincerity at all. No empathy, no attempt to improve or be truthful. It is all about him.
I long for the day he ….
Stone is FOS, and just like the Rump, he is trying to distract from the fact that he, too, is in Mueller’s crosshairs (not that I doubt Rump Jr is, too).
Stone certainly doesn’t know the campaign laws. It is not legal to accept anything of value for a campaign from foreign sources. Particularly from a hostile foreign government trying to undermine the integrity of our elections…
The Trumpers like Stone and Giuliani seem to think that if they repeat the lie often enough, everybody will believe it must be true. Which can work on many Americans, but I doubt that Mueller is one of them.
I would be very surprised if Junior is indicted only on lying to the FBI, unless he has flipped. He undoubtedly has also been in on money laundering with dear old dad for years.
Am really not surprised the he chose to play golf and tweet BS about numbers while ignoring not only McCains passing but the sad events in Jacksonville, FL. There were protests at his golf club and one protestor was waving a Baby Trump Blimp ballon, was a beautiful sight – the Fail had shots of it.
Even here in the UK am reading reports that Jr is going to be indicted this week.
Hopefully dump’s behavior causes a revolt In the White House, and breaks the cult spells.
If only. It seems the douchier he acts, the more kool-aid the cult drinks. This is almost as frightening as he is.
The flags definitely should be a half staff. But I don’t think Trump’s lack of a statement is a big deal. No one would have believed a complimentary statement at this point anyway. Why ask for BS? Would a fake statement have helped the family? I don’t think so.
An official statement from the White House, without his name on it, commemorating McCain’s decades of service would have been archived for history in the White House & Library of Congress archives s an acknowledgment but Trump denied him even that.
LP, I was thinking the same thing could have been done. But not in this administration ever.
Can we take a moment to laugh at Orange Voldy’s claim to be our favorite President of all time? And the favorite within the Republican party? Lincoln was Republican. So was Teddy Roosevelt. And Eisenhower, who was (for reasons I never understood) beloved.
He is such a vile, ignorant, petty, petty man.
I disliked McCain and still think his legacy as some kind of Maverick is grossly exaggerated but I’m a private citizen. Trump is POTUS, as much as I loathe the idea, and is supposed the country. McCain was a member of his own party and one of the longest serving member of our Senate. It IS disgusting.
Sure, it’s not as disgusting as calling an entire race of people rapists, bragging about sexually assaulting women or putting babies in cages but STILL, it is disgusting.
Just one more thing to add to Dump’s long list of insults and slurs. It’s a long list and grows daily.
Petty and meant to disparage McCain.
Lately drump has been tweeting the “I’m your favorite (I hope) president, right? Please tell me that, OK?” type of comment. And it makes my skin crawl. The begging to be accepted by people is disturbing. In WV, with an audience poor and uneducated, he went back to how the “elites” still don’t like him despite his having a big house, better education, being president. He’s a f*cking loon.
His polls may have him at 90% with his base. But he’s still stuck in the low 30s overall.
Also I saw a poll of Millenials which claimed 19% like Grifter Ivanka and 54% view her unfavorably. The rest don’t care at all about her. But to get people to like her she just keeps tweeting awkward, clueless comments that are either hyperflowery or demonstrate her complete lack of intelligence and compassion.
Because we all like him more than Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, right?
drump did say he would be a better Abraham Lincoln than Abraham Lincoln ever was. Still claims that every so often.
I think Trump didn’t actually realize
Lincoln was a Republican until some point in the campaign, because he started saying “not everybody knows this but..” , which is a sign that he just learned something new.
But Trump was always a poor student and also isn’t really a Republican or a conservative. He’s just a Trump. He was registered Democrat and so were his children. He would have run as a Democrat if they would have welcomed him. But by then he was too crazy about some key issues for the Dems. He found a better welcome among some Republicans. The other Republicans should have worked hard to cut him off in the primaries, he was so awful to the other candidates in the debates. I have to suspect that the Russians passed along dirt they foun hacking to Trump and he used it, because all of a sudden people who refused to support Trump were his bff’s.
I may not agree with Senator McCain’s issues and logic most of the time. ( I still think he would have made a great President but his party chose stupid Sarah Palin for vice candidate). However, the one thing that I have to say that he is a war hero, Patriot and a “son” of United States of America and he will always get the respect that he deserves. In addition, his family will be taken care of as well as respected.
In addition, look at it this way the McCain’s are going to the most respected family, all because they have a father we was a Maverick. Unlik the Trump’s….. Nuff said.
McCain served our country for 60 years, and Trump is so petty and childish to not have the flags at half staff and not let the WH release a statement about his death. He’s just jealous that McCain was a million times more of a brave man than he is, and seeing people from both sides of the aisle and leaders from all over the world honoring a man who doesn’t want Trump at his funeral is really passing him off
It also disturbs me that Pence may be at the funeral. He is another horrible human being in this administration. It will make him look presidential. Will drump refuse to let him go because he doesn’t want Mother’s husband to represent the presidency?
No, it is offensive. A few weeks ago Trump signed into law the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization act. However when Trump signed it he just called it the National Defense Authorization Act and thanked a bunch of Republicans for getting it passed EXCEPT for McCain who was one of the biggest proponents of it. It is friggin named after him. Until his death, McCain served as the Senate Armed Forces Committee Chairman. Trump wouldn’t acknowledge his hard work OR the fact the law had McCain’s name because the idiot has a grudge against everyone who has ever criticized him. Meanwhile he knew McCain was ailing and on his deathbed. It’s cruel and smearing McCain’s work as a lawmaker. Here’s the link to that story: https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/13/politics/donald-trump-john-mccain-defense-spending/index.html
I know this is heartless and I shouldn’t think it, but these are not normal times. Good politicians die yet Trump remains alive. It isn’t fair.
I just wish someone would tell him no for once. Trump’s cabinet seems to walk on egg shells to be able to accomplish anything he doesn’t understand (and we all know he understands very little that doesn’t directly involve himself). Get some balls DC. Another wish is for the media to ignore him, if even for a day, which would cause great damage to his big orange ego.
Put the flag back at half mast you jealous pea brain. It’s called protocol you ass.
I believe the courts will soon be telling him “no for once” when they file charges against all the crooks who worked for him in his crooked TT businesses. I believe the noose is tightening and it’s only a matter of time. We have to have patience grass hoppers.
Trump didn’t exactly put a bunch of knowledgeable go-getters in his cabinet. So most of them probably don’t mind that he is disinterested and doesn’t expect anything from them. He probably would prefer that they don’t get caught, though. Or talk to Mueller.
Just a side note, anyone else see the picture of Dump with kids, coloring the American flag wrong?
What? How do you color the American flag wrong?! Or was it a Freudian slip and he was drawing the Russian flag?
He was coloring the stripes both red and blue. It was pathetic to see him sitting like a clueless dumbass at a table of happy, engaged kids. No connection whatsoever. It also was to me a tangible representation of how the kids’ table is where he belongs. And even there he’s out of place!
Remember the connection with kids that Obama had? *weeps*
The moron doesn’t even know what color the stripes are on the flag he loves so much. That’s much more disrespectful than peacefully kneeling during the anthem
I think what bothers me about his tweet is the “hearts and prayers go out to his family” language which is also his standard statement after a mass shooting. It’s just confirmation that that’s his default, lazy “I actually don’t care at all” statement.
I just called the White House common line, it was busy. I waited and kept calling and decided to call the internal switchboard line, it’s 202-456-1414; asked to leave a msg for President (I heard this on the msg while waiting for the common line to be answered) I got put through to another nothing line.
Called switchboard again. Upon answer I asked for Veterans Affairs, they tried to give me a 1800 line so i asked if there was someone there I could talk with- was put on hold and quickly connected to Veterans Complaints dept- phone was answered by a lady named Pat.
I asked her about the flag and if it was at half mast. She said yes, all flags were supposed to be flying at half for 30 days nationwide, due to an honor code which I could not note down fast enough. I told her I’d heard that was not happening and asked her to check with her chain of command to find ouT if that was the case, and why. She said that was not supposed to be, I reiterated that flags should be flown at half nationwide and at the White House in honor and she was very clear in her affirmation that all flags to their knowledge were ordered to half. She said she was an intake person. So I asked her to pass this issue on to her supervisor and she said she would immediately but also encouraged me to write in to the White House on the internet with my complaint. I did give my info upon calling and say I will call back tomorrow.
Thank you for the idea, LP. You’re so with it. 💪🏾 I love it.
A nothingburger, but still. 😊fuck This administration
I called the Comment line first and got the busy signal. I then called the switchboard and told the operator why I was calling. She put me through to the Comment line where a message told me I had reached the Comment line. I was on hold for a total of 2 minutes. I politely told the woman who answered my information and my view of the flag situation. We thanked each other and hung up.
Two thoughts:
1. I don’t want to brush 45’s petty b*tchy treatment of McCain said rbecause I don’t want any of this crap to be normalized. I get that we shouldn’t be distracted from issues like Puerto Rico, gun violence, voting, etc, but it bothers me to see things that would never have been acceptable just a few years ago brushed off!
2. I hope roger stone is wrong about the indictment of Jr… because there absolutely were illegalities about that trump tower meeting, and he deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. I hope Mueller indicts Jr, but for lying to the FBI *and* illegal campaign activity.
Two words: F-cking asshole.
Soooo, do the people that have a problem with athletes kneeling during the national anthem have any sort of issue with the flag back up in less than 48 hours, a complete breach of protocol insulting a veteran and military hero? My guess is not. He’s disgusting.
None of my trump supporting or conservative FB (with the exception of one who can’t stand trump) has posted anything about John McCain yet they posted a ton about standing for the anthem.
And Randy Rainbow has a gift for us this morning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWTiFcl9OhU
Hahaha. He’s really good. Thanks!
I love Randy Rainbow so much. He always hits just the right note.
Underneath him while he was playing Trump’s interviewer (love it when he gets serious and puts on the pink glasses):
Randy Rainbow & No Friends
I adore Tandy Rainbow!!!! So funny
John McCain will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, joining an august company that includes late presidents and Rosa Parks, before being buried at the Naval Academy. I wonder if this will push Trump closer to the edge?
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/26/john-mccain-31st-person-lie-state-capitol/1104126002/
No. This absolutely IS a big deal. I can’t even with this statement. This man spent 60 years in public service and regardless of what anyone thinks of his politics, he should be honored by the White House. This is not up to Trump personally–he has a responsibility in his capacity as President to honor this man, to recognize his sacrifices and his suffering, and to, as THE representative of our nation, to at least acknowledge him and his life personally. REGARDLESS OF HIS PERSONAL FEELINGS. It IS a big deal.
McCain was not a perfect man nor was he a perfect politician. As a progressive, I rarely agreed with his politics. Ok, I never agreed with his politics. But I DO recognize who he was and all he has done in service to this nation and it is Trump’s f-ing responsibility as PRESIDENT (not as a person) to honor him on his death. It is a big deal. And it utterly disgusts me. It doesn’t surprise me, of course, but it disgusts me. Trump has utterly dismantled every single norm we have. Now add this to the list. He is pure trash.
Agreed re: it is a big deal.
And the flag thing really pisses me off. How petty and childish.
Same here. It is an intentional and overt personal insult and anyone who fails to recognize that is either being intentionally dense or they are incapable of seeing the significance due to ignorance. The norm, I believe, is to keep flags at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a senator. In that context, it is beyond reprehensible.
What an arsehole. Basic respect.
McCain is a hero. Trump is a gross disgusting vile man. Good on McCain for banning him from the funeral.
Some state governors are starting to issue orders for flags to be flown at half staff. Virginia and Texas have done so within the past hour.
lol, only a day ago, people were lauding him for putting aside political differences and tweeting his condolences. I hope they feel stupid now… But I don’t think his supporters have that kind of awareness.
im convinced half (maybe more) of trump supporters are nihilits. They just want to say f u to everything. They truly love his crassness and dont care. He could took a dump on national tv in front of the white house and they would probably revel in it.
Yes, drump has brought a corrosive cynicism to our basic beliefs about democracy. Sarah Palin is an example of that defensive, self pitying cynicism. It’s his and Putin’s attempts to divide and confuse us.
I usually think you guys are spot on but I disagree on this. The White House is the people’s house to snub an American war hero is disgusting. I loathed McCains positions often. He never met a war he didn’t wan to join… but I honor him as any decent American respectfully does when a living part of our history dies. Trump has not one redeaming quality and to act less outraged about this is to normalize his gross behavior. Oh he didn’t attack a grieving family or kidnap children so let it slide NOPE never. This is disgusting and thank you guys for posting the number to call.
Trump’s marching orders from Putin are to divide and distract. He is accomplishing that with his public disrespect of McCain–a sitting Senator in his own party. No surprise. The Kremlin famously hated McCain. Trump is doing his dirty, treasonous job, and so we have to push forward and do our job, which is to vote the GOP out and make him a lame duck!
Putin may definitely be behind drump’s hatred of McCain. Remember drump agreed to have several people involved in the Magnitsky Act handed over to Putin after the Helsinki summit.
McCain was a co-sponsor of the Magnitsky Act. Putin has been threatening anyone involved with creating that Act, especially Bill Browder, who brought it to McCain’s attention. Also, Putin just a few weeks ago used a Red Notice in a failed attempt to arrest Browder in Spain. This was the sixth or seventh time he has tried to capture Browder.
I believe drump is so beholden to Putin that drump will commit treason against the US.
Finally!! It’s just been shown and announced that the WH flag is lowered back to half staff. Maybe it was all of the angry phone calls, emails, tweets, or the letter from the American Legion asking Trump to behave like a decent human being that got it to happen. Disgusting and shameful that it took so long
Yes, the flag is back at half staff until after his funeral. The AMVETS were raising holy hell that they will not vote for the dotard again. So, it’s not because he see he knows he is wrong and was acting small and petty, but for votes.
It truly is disgusting that to get that pos to to the right thing, or even the NORMAL thing, it takes us rising up. He can’t be trusted to do anything right or ethical without outraged masses forcing him to.
When will this ever end????
People tend to grossly underestimate the effectiveness of loud and persistent outcry.
Even Hitler ran into frustrating limits to his power because sometimes people didn’t roll over and play dead for him. The fact is that any government rules only with consent of the governed. Our problem is that we tend to give tacit consent because we are overwhelmed and afraid of consequences and as long as our own ox isn’t gored too badly – we put up with awful governments. But we all do have that power when we choose to exercise it.
The idea is not to change Trump’s mind, or to make him realize that he’s wrong. He’s a disturbed individual and just does not react that way. The idea is to moderate his behavior, not his thinking, because he is running into the limits of power and losing potential votes and rally cheers from people who used to support every damn fool thing he did or said.
All time favorite? The delusion is STRONG.