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Foreign Leaders' Tributes to John McCain Following His Death Put Donald Trump's to Shame
Outclassed.
Following Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) death on Saturday, social media has been flooded with tributes and support for McCain's family. As the news of his passing broke, President Donald Trump tweeted his "deepest sympathies and respect" to the late Senator's family - but nothing about McCain.
My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1535244253.0
The president and McCain had a rocky relationship, often exchanging barbs and regularly criticizing the other, like when Trump said he "liked people who weren't captured," referring to McCain's time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
CNN reported on Monday that the White House had drafted an official statement about McCain for Trump, but that the president, who spent the weekend golfing, wasn't interested in releasing it. On Sunday, the Washington Post learned that Trump only wanted to send a tweet, instead of giving a more visible statement.
Other world leaders however, offered the sorts of tributes one would have expected of the American President.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for example, said McCain was "an American patriot and her whose sacrifices for his country, and lifetime of public service, were an inspiration to millions."
Senator John McCain was an American patriot and hero whose sacrifices for his country, and lifetime of public servi… https://t.co/qiXtL3qPmN— Justin Trudeau (@Justin Trudeau) 1535245973.0
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that McCain was a "true American hero" who "devoted his entire life to his country."
John McCain was a true American hero. He devoted his entire life to his country. His voice will be missed. Our resp… https://t.co/EzdMd0ilJu— Emmanuel Macron (@Emmanuel Macron) 1535279013.0
McCain was a "great statesman, who embodied the idea of service over self," British Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted on Sunday. May added that McCain was a "friend of the UK."
John McCain was a great statesman, who embodied the idea of service over self. It was an honour to call him a frien… https://t.co/1y2w74F9h1— Theresa May (@Theresa May) 1535277675.0
German leaders were especially respectful to McCain in the hours after his passing. Chancellor Angela Merkel praised McCain as "one of the great political figures of our time."
Kanzlerin #Merkel zum Tod von John McCain: Senator McCain war eine der großen politischen Persönlichkeiten unserer… https://t.co/fB4lOiQpVP— Steffen Seibert (@Steffen Seibert) 1535283035.0
Senator McCain was led by the steadfast belief that the aim of every political activity is to serve freedom, democracy and the rule of law. His death is a loss to all those who share that belief.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said, "we will remember his voice."
Senator John McCain stand für ein Amerika, das ein verlässlicher und enger Partner ist, das aus Stärke Verantwortun… https://t.co/2g8Fz5uaSQ— Heiko Maas 🇪🇺 (@Heiko Maas 🇪🇺) 1535271399.0
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen expressed respect for McCain's "impressively forthright, courageous and indomitable character," while Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble said McCain's "unshakable commitment to the values of the free world and trans-Atlantic alliance," made him "an inspiration to many across the Atlantic and party lines."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted that McCain was an "American and Atlanticist," who "will be remembered both in Europe and North America for his courage and character, and as a strong supporter of NATO."
John McCain - soldier and senator, American and Atlanticist. He will be remembered both in Europe and North America… https://t.co/ogxynQeeSP— Jens Stoltenberg (@Jens Stoltenberg) 1535256033.0
McCain " never backed down from his beliefs & forever strived [sic] for a more peaceful & prosperous world," Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted.
I'll remember John McCain as a friend & a fighter. He never backed down from his beliefs & forever strived for a mo… https://t.co/SVSmQy7WPW— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen) 1535247698.0
Reactions to Trump's cold shoulder to McCain were brutal.
@realDonaldTrump You're total fool and lack any #humanity whatsoever! How dare you reject putting out a formal… https://t.co/TmMBiU6QLg— Will (he/him/his)🏳️🌈 #LGBTQIA (@Will (he/him/his)🏳️🌈 #LGBTQIA) 1535328982.0
@realDonaldTrump If you want to do one single decent thing in your life, stay off social media today. You couldn’t… https://t.co/kAKHIpg9SQ— Lorrie🧩 (@Lorrie🧩) 1535289715.0
@realDonaldTrump The least you can do now is make a formal proclamation for the nation to be flags half mast. But I… https://t.co/RkGgsSLnEZ— Andrea Sanchez (@Andrea Sanchez) 1535288252.0
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/afrhGmCSgw— Mark Watkins (@Mark Watkins) 1535370236.0
@realDonaldTrump WH aides even prepare a statement for you. You ignored it. Now we are getting to the low of lows… https://t.co/qNVYghfCQx— David Yee (@David Yee) 1535374091.0
@realDonaldTrump Please say something about the man....put political differences aside and please fly the flag at h… https://t.co/UHHmyapkrw— Gary L Marsiglia (@Gary L Marsiglia) 1535371283.0
@realDonaldTrump This is the only thing you can say? This morning, the WH flag is at full-staff. You will NEVER be… https://t.co/qB3Cs6eOuC— Ann El (@Ann El) 1535377745.0
@realDonaldTrump John McCain will enjoy widespread respect and admiration and his legacy will be that of a true Ame… https://t.co/2eOmRB4ApA— TorontoMike🧢 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇵🇭#ImpeachTrump (@TorontoMike🧢 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇵🇭#ImpeachTrump) 1535368260.0
American leaders outgunned Trump with their respects to McCain as well.
Former President Barack Obama, who defeated McCain in the 2008 presidential contest, said: "Few of us have been tested the way John was," and that "we are all in his debt" for his service to the country.
Our statement on the passing of Senator John McCain: https://t.co/3GBjNYxoj5— Barack Obama (@Barack Obama) 1535245785.0
Former President Bill Clinton said McCain "lived by his creed" that "every citizen has a responsibility to make something of the freedoms given by our Constitution."
John McCain believed that every citizen has a responsibility to make something of the freedoms given by our Constit… https://t.co/oI2cBhNH7v— Bill Clinton (@Bill Clinton) 1535247414.0
First Lady Melania Trump thanked McCain for his service...
Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to the McCain Family. Thank you Senator McCain for your service to the nation.— Melania Trump (@Melania Trump) 1535244257.0
...and Vice President Mike Pence wrote that he and his family "honor his lifetime of service to this nation in our military and in public life."
Karen and I send our deepest condolences to Cindy and the entire McCain family on the passing of Senator John McCai… https://t.co/18nBtjhSeE— Vice President Mike Pence (@Vice President Mike Pence) 1535247996.0
Shortly before he died, McCain requested that Trump does not attend his funeral and that he wanted former Presidents Obama and GW Bush to give eulogies.