The Republicans running for president reacted strongly Saturday against Donald Trump saying John McCain is no war hero because he was “captured” as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
Many GOP candidates weighed in on Trump’s comments: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie all tweeted their disagreement.
After Donald Trump spends six years in a POW camp, he can weigh in on John McCain's service
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero & all POW's deserve our nation's highest debt of gratitude. @realDonaldTrump's comments are disgraceful.
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) July 18, 2015
If there was ever any doubt that @realDonaldTrump should not be our commander in chief, this stupid statement should end all doubt.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero, period.
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) July 18, 2015
Just told a crowd in Sioux City: @SenJohnMcCain is an American hero
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) July 18, 2015
Enough with the slanderous attacks. @SenJohnMcCain and all our veterans – particularly POWs have earned our respect and admiration.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 18, 2015
America’s POWs deserve much better than to have their service questioned by the offensive rantings of Donald Trump
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 18, 2015
I know @SenJohnMcCain. Senator John McCain is an American hero. Period. Stop.
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) July 18, 2015
Perry also released a statement saying: “Donald Trump should apologize immediately for attacking Senator McCain and all veterans who have protected and served our country…His comments have reached a new low in American politics. 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 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee also took issue with Trump’s remarks.
The difference between @SenJohnMcCain and @realDonaldTrump: Trump shot himself down. McCain and American veterans are true heroes.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero because he served his country and sacrificed more than most can imagine. Period.
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) July 18, 2015
MORE – on @SenJohnMcCain There is no place in our party or our country for comments that disparage those who have served honorably,
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) July 18, 2015
Trump first made the comments during the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa on Saturday.
“He’s a war hero because he was captured,” Trump said sarcastically when asked about McCain. “I like people who weren’t captured, I hate to tell you.”
In a subsequent statement, Trump added: “I am not a fan [of] John McCain because he has done so little for our veterans and he should know better than anybody what the veterans need, especially in regards to the VA. He is yet another all talk, no action politician who spends too much time on television and not enough time doing his job and helping the vets.”
McCain spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, where he was tortured.
The two Republicans have been feuding in recent days, with McCain criticizing Trump’s campaign and Trump encouraging other Republicans to primary the Arizona senator in 2016.