Trump insulted John McCain twice more in the last 24 hours

Trump seems determined to be as graceless as possible this week as preparations begin for the funeral of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

On Monday morning, the American flag over the White House was once again flying at full staff, after having been lowered Saturday night following news of McCain’s death.

Traditionally, when a sitting U.S. senator dies, the White House issues an effusive statement of praise to honor the deceased and keeps the flag at half staff for several days.

But not Trump.

Flag back at full staff atop WH. Pres Trump did not issue proclamation on the death of @SenJohnMcCain, which usually calls for flags to remain at half-staff through the day of interment, which is Sunday at the @NavalAcademy. pic.twitter.com/NGasNPT0VB

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 27, 2018

The petty disrespect didn’t end there, the Washington Post reports. On Sunday, Trump also refused to release a previously drafted White House statement meant to honor McCain.

Instead, Trump tweeted out a brief message that made no mention of McCain’s life or his accomplishments.

“My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!” Trump wrote.

Trump has opted to do as little as possible to honor the fallen senator — perhaps perturbed by the glowing media coverage McCain is receiving in death, and by the stark contrast between McCain’s honorable public service and Trump’s ugly narcissism.

A Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war who served in the Senate for three decades, McCain died of brain cancer on August 25. He had stood out as one of the few Republican lawmakers who was willing to loudly call out Trump’s disgraceful behavior rather than enable it.

But Trump doesn’t handle criticism well, and seems determined to disrespect McCain even in death.

Monday’s flag snub was widely derided and condemned by members of the media. “#NoRespect,” tweeted NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell.

Trump made headlines during his presidential run in 2015 for mocking McCain’s military service. “He was a hero because he was captured,” Trump said. “I like people that weren’t captured.”

Last year, McCain delivered a devastating blow to Trump’s agenda when he joined with Democratic senators in voting down the GOP repeal of Obamacare, registering his no vote on the Senate floor with a dramatic “thumbs down” sign.

McCain reportedly did not want Trump to attend his funeral. Instead, his family has asked former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush to deliver eulogies at the service.

McCain’s body will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on Friday, followed by a Saturday funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

For Trump, that means several more days to figure out more disgraceful ways to slight the late senator.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.