Cindy McCain says she will 'never get over' Trump's war hero slurs against late husband
'I’m the wife, that’s my prerogative, I don’t have to,' says widow of John McCain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cindy McCain has said she will “never get over” Donald Trump's attacks on her late husband, John McCain's his legacy as an American war hero.
The widow of the Arizona senator addressed controversial remarks the president has repeatedly made that he does not consider Mr McCain a “war hero” because he was captured during the Vietnam War, saying, “I like people that weren't captured.”
When asked whether she was “hurt” by those comments during an interview with BBC, Ms McCain replied: “Yeah I was. I thought it was inappropriate and wrong. I really did. It hurt the family, too.”
She added, “I think that was a wrong thing to say and I … I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it, if I’m being honest. But I’m the wife, that’s my prerogative, I don’t have to.”
Ms McCain, who became regarded as a “political force” alongside her husband during his tenure in the Senate, has kept notably quiet about Mr Trump’s presidency since he made it to the Oval Office in 2016.
On Wednesday, the Republican refused to commit to voting to Mr Trump in the 2020 election, suggesting she did not believe the president was guaranteed to seek a second term.
“You know, I don’t even know if he’s going to run, and he’s not sure, I don’t believe he’s sure he’s going to run,” she said. “At this point, I’d like to see some softening of the rhetoric, I really would.”
“It’s hard,” she continued. “It’s hurtful.”
The president was not invited to Mr McCain’s funeral earlier this year, though several members of his administration — including Vice President Mike Pence — attended the historic occasion alongside former first families.
The late senator and decorated military veteran died of brain cancer complications at 81-years-old, after a long battle with glioblastoma.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments