It gets worse and worse. Trump is the epitome of the "bully": big talk and swagger hiding massive insecurity. He rants and raves, but he never says anything of substance because he is aware of his incredible ignorance. He is repelled by everything pertaining to John McCain because Mr. McCain was everything that Mr. Trump will never be: Upstanding, Loyal to his country and his friends, Knowledgeable, and willing to stand up for what is right, even if it does not benefit him personally. I cannot imagine who those 40% of Americans that approve of the job Mr. Trump is doing might be; I suspect those are false numbers placed by Mr. Trump's friends in Russia.
5
The slant given this article is as distasteful as are the comments of some of the people commenting here. Let's first address this hero thing referring to John McCain. First, he was not a hero by any measure. He was a sub-par pilot who took too many chances. By his own commanders review, he was careless. He had three serious crashes in his short career all for no other reasons than carelessness. Was he shot down and captured in Vietnam? Yes he was, but so were many others. Being shot down, captured and tortured doesn't make you a hero. Holding John McCain up as a hero and leaving the others that were shot down and captured to remain as footnotes to the Vietnam war is incredulous. Last, but certainly not least, it's easy to bomb the enemy from 5,000 or 10,000 feet. How would the flyboy McCain have fared in up close and personal ground combat roll?
1
I am looking for a McCain hat to wear around town. Perhaps a couple of million wearers of such a hat is an even better idea.
4
The ship wasn’t named after the senator, but rather after his father and grandfather, which makes the slight even more egregious.
6
The old organized crime top management strategy: let subordinates know, without explicitly saying, what would and what would not please the BOSS and make sure they understand that not pleasing the BOSS will have very bad consequences. The BOSS is free to deny knowledge of specific actions taken by the subordinates and technically still not be lying.
Now, is this how we want our beloved Country to be run? Is this how our Founding Fathers thought the Country should be run or is this what they were walking away from?
10
@Mike in nola. Thank you for setting the record straight on the proportion of "progressive" or ultra-left or however you want to categorize them to the moderate, just left of center, or heck, what we used to call plain old "liberal" Dem. I really get worked up when I hear someone on NPR once again touting the thinking that only a "progressive" can become the 2020 candidate because that's where the Democratic party is right now. Who decided that? And can they stop referring to AOC as if she's some sort of policy mastermind? Squeaky wheels get the grease (or the attention) but hinder the actual running of the vehicle. I realize this is getting off the topic of this article but many are speaking to the takeaway from this, that trump is spectacularly unsuited to the office of the Presidency and continues to besmerch it on an hourly basis.
1
Shameful behavior for the WH and the POTUS. Will this forever be known as the McCain mutiny?
3
Today's Republican party seems to side with a SELFISH DRAFT DODGER over a great American war hero with decades of pubic service (also a republican).
How pathetic and sad of Mitch and his so called republicans...
Never thought I would witness this..
8
Another “proud” moment in American history. Republicans you are ruining our country and our values by continuing to support this pathetic, angry, vindictive little man. Impeach!!!
6
An honorable Commander-in-Chief would have visited the USS John McCain to honor the memory of the 10 U.S. Navy sailors who died aboard this ship. It's a new low for this President and his staff - the latest in a long list of shameful acts
13
@ClaireBlue: Maybe Trump just doesn't like ships that almost sunk.
2
When our military surrenders to politics America is no longer a place of liberty and freedom
BLM
5
The shame of this is that someone on the ship —someone IN the Navy — actually complied with the request to hide McCain’s name.
10
"...When several sailors from the McCain — wearing uniforms that bore the ship’s name and insignia — turned up anyway at the Wasp to hear Mr. Trump’s speech, they were turned away,..."
These service men and women place their lives on the line for the United States of America. Yet they could not attend an event featuring the Commander in Chief because of "bad visuals" or that seeing the name of their ship might provoke this ignorant president?
Appalling. He needs to step down if he is so psychically frail that he can't abide reality and represent his country correctly.
10
At least we don’t have to worry that a navy ship will ever be named after Trump.
5
If trump new-shameful-though he has no shame- and if not he should dismiss anyone involved-but more likely he will give them medals.
1
The U.S.S. John S McCain is a destroyer
John McCain was a politician
Politicians want to destroy their opponents
President Trump opposed John McCain
It all makes sense in a way
Hey, I can’t be too critical
It’s all political
1
Banning sailors from the McCain to attend the speech?? You literally cannot make this stuff up. Maybe we should also dock them their pay? Or rename the ship the U.S.S. Trump? Look for a bill coming soon to the Senate.
1
Ugh.
Now even the military has to coddle this infantile “stable genius.”
What have we become?
This man deserves serious psychological counseling/treatment, not the presidency.
5
Not hard to believe that Trump was not aware of what was going on around him... Just more of the same "genius" stuff he does.
3
Sad very sad.... how did America come to be like this?
3
Where can I order my USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) hat?
6
@Mr. Dines Currently unavailable at Amazon. White House influence?
But seriously . . . still listed at Military Best.
https://militarybest.com/uss-john-s-mccain-ddg-56-ship-cap.html
I was never a fan of John McCain, never but whoever gave the directive to hide a name or a ship shows just how stupid everyone in DC actually is. I also doubt Trump himself did not know about this but if Trump is that sensitive and that weak that he cannot control himself by seeing a name, man he has problems. With that said, Trump 2020.
2
An honored war hero and Senator is indirectly maligned by the actions of a President in a foreign nation. Only a coward would encourage such an act, and only an order from the top would require those to follow such an order through the chain of command. Sailors are proud of the ship they serve on. I wonder how they felt covering their ship’s name with a tarp?
1
Still another indication of the limitless hatred of more than just the usual crazies for the good and great man who has selflessly and at great personal cost taken on the duties of president and executed them flawlessly in the face of vilification and slander by the small but highly vocal minority who will apparently do anything to paper-over the great progress (not quite completed) he has made in fulfilling his promise to make this country great again, all the while forgiving his detractors by barely audibly but repeatedly expressing his concern and understanding for these very detractors by intoning "Father forgive them for they know not what they do," which intonations MSM ignores.
The situation with Iran is “fluid” at best. So I wondering if the “McCain incident” could be yet another innocuous incident by this administration to weaponize the military a head of the 2020 elections. Even as I write this I know how cynical I sound and yet... Ever so slowly we drift....
2
Trump's continued lies upon lies is getting really beyond the pale; SJT's continued bastardisation of the political process makes lifetime politicians look honest; bipartisanship exists in this era.
Sen McCain has passed. The honorable thing to do would've been to make his statement from the McCain.
1
@Coffee Bean
Two correction:
*DJT's
*the U.S.S. McCain
1
This gives a beautiful new weapon to those who detest this president and all he stands for. He can be driven to distraction, thus exposing more of his crimes by the simple expedient of putting Senator McCain’s name up in large letters wherever Trump appears, even projecting it onto the front of his Washington hotel.
4
There was a time when dictatorships could re-write the history books to purge all memory of the regime's enemies. With the Internet it's more difficult (although, as China & N. Korea have shown, not impossible). The impending Trump dictatorship (2020 - win or lose DJT is staying with full GOP approval) the regime will start moving to the N. Korea model. GOP ecstatic.
3
If the goal of many in the Trump administration is to "not upset" him, we are i a world of hurt. Just watch and listen to Trump's tirades about any bad news and you will see and hear a man who is completely out of control. Those who protect him by hiding the truth and bowing to his ego are not helping our country.
2
So, some military person decided that the John McCain should be parked where it is, presumably for a reason, and Trump's staff think it should be moved because it might hurt the president's feewings? Or putting a tarp over the ship's name? How is it that we're putting up with this? I have an idea. Why don't we park the John McCain on the White House lawn, and see if it makes Trump leave voluntarily.
4
in every outrage such as this, trump falls on his deniability strategy while his staff back him up with, 'he does not know about it or, he did not ask me to do it' alibi. but we now know from the testimonies of the likes of michael cohen, his erstwhile long term fixer, that trump communicates with his staff in codes so that he does not have to give direct instruction. what trump seem to fail to understand is that he is ultimately responsible for what is done in his name.
2
It's ironic that the people who seem to get under Trump's skin the most are Republicans, Nancy Pelosi notwithstanding: John McCain, Robert Mueller, Jeff Sessions, etc.
11
Trump should be careful about criticizing a revered war hero or the military will not support him when he calls on them to support his coup after losing the 2020 election.
8
I would like to point out that this is absolutely something Obama would not do. Ever. Trump's response to it was the same as "There are fine people on both sides". Does his response address this? It absolutely does not. Does it make it less likely an underling would do something like this again? No, it does not. Trump made it absolutely, perfectly clear he may not have ordered this. But he is certainly fine with it. And it is OK with me. Because what he has done is give those on the fence the reason they need to walk away from him. This will peel away a few more voters. The straw that breaks the camel's back for more people. And if that happens....it absolutely positively is not Obama or Hillary's fault. This , I would remind his followers, is not "growing into the job" . Another victim on Fifth Ave.. Plenty more bullets in his chamber.
12
nothing is too petty for this occupant of the Oval Office.
nothing.
to don the con "public service" is interpreted as the public servicing his ego
14
If fear of bad visuals...
... was the motivation behind the decision to hide the Destroyer John McCain, I believe it would be more appropriate to hide Donald Trump himself.
15
Republican complicity and enablement has no limit. They could stop this any time they want to- if they wanted to - but they don’t. Stacking the courts is the only policy they have worked for the last two years - traitors - all of them.
11
This is dangerous territory. Trump and his sycophants are not only dividing our voters, police and intelligence workers, but now dividing our military.
10
@Paul: Who are the sheep and who are the goats?
1
It’s entirely plausible that Trump knew nothing about this business. The truth is in that case even more shameful: that everyone in his orbit and millions beyond it know what a pathetically vulnerable personality is driving his manias and his make-believe.
Meghan McCain has said that Trump won’t let her father rest in peace, but in fact it’s the other way around.
87
Every day brings a brand new low.
14
I am a former USAF Officer and Pilot.
I was appalled by this news about the acquiescence on behalf of military officers to the blatant politicization of the military. Every single officer in the United States military undergoes training which clearly and specifically admonishes against mixing one's own political views with military events and protocol. It is strictly forbidden. Each officer in the chain of command is perfectly aware of this.
My active duty time was back in the Reagan administration. Regardless of how any of us felt personally regarding the POTUS, not one officer I knew would ever have dreamt of wearing a political statement on our uniform. I am speaking specifically about the naval aviators who were wearing Trump badges on their flight suits at this event.
The mere fact that these officers thought to do that in the first place, and that they were not pulled aside by a senior officer and ordered - not advised, not recommended - ordered by a senior officer to remove those badges immediately is evidence of the breakdown in military discipline and adherence to the code.
The military is no place for political "cults of personality" to develop. Every officer is taught this, and understands it. In fact, every officer receives training in history regarding the corruption and politicalization of the officer corps in the German military during WWII, and how that diminished the military effectiveness.
I am truly afraid for my country.
42
Even in his denial, he goes on a rant against McCain.
12
What a sad, petty man we have for president.
14
If Trump says he knew nothing about it, you'd better believe that he ordered it.
If this man's lips are moving, he's lying!
15
None of this would be happening without Mitch McConnells acquiesce.
That name will certainly live in infamy.
16
This action displays ( once again) the depths this President will go in order to dishonor or discredit a person who he perceives to be a threat or a rival who is more worthy than he... of accolades and respect.
6
Just another day's work for a draft-dodging "president" who shows more concern for pardoning war criminals than for honoring those who stepped up and sacrificed for their country.
13
The Stethem is named after another hero, a 23 year old Navy diver who was beaten to death by terrorists on the hijacked plane in 1985. He refused to denounce America. His tortured body was thrown out on the tarmac seen worldwide on TV. That’s when his parents and siblings saw his fate. This young man is what makes America great at the highest level.
11
Pathetic. A word used often in these comments, does not begin to describe this series of events where members of the White House Military Office--presumably staffed by military officers and headed by Rear Admiral Keith B. Davids, United Staes Navy--conspired, colluded, concocted, cajoled or otherwise commanded subordinates, colleagues or just fellow travelers to disdain, disrespect and dishonor the officers and men of the John S. McCain, AND in the process have repeatedly violated the the Hatch Act of 1939 which prohibits any government employee from participating in political activities such as canvassing or intimidating, influencing or affecting the voters (including sailors) by any means. Now let the appropriate convening authority break out the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Manual for Court Martial and begin writing up the appropriate charges. 'Shame' does not begin to describe how I feel for myself as a former sea service (US Marine) officer, and how I feel for my beleaguered, divided and sinking country.
20
@Mr. Dines
What amazes me is that the CO of the ship would even obey such an order in the first place. The honor of the ship and its crew is what should have prevented such a disgraceful,craven obedience to such a directive. As a former enlisted Marine non-com I thought better of the Navy officer corps.
4
How quickly you all forget........how deceitful McCain was on the ACA......agreeing to vote to repeal and then at the last minute in an effort to disgrace President Trump sinking the entire bill with one no vote. And remember vindictive, petty McCain was the one who passed on the the Golden Shower dossier without checking its validity. McCain was a fraudulent Republican. His ideas and actions were more in line with Democrats.
I don't agree 100% with President Trump on all issues, but when it counts for the good of American citizens, he has the courage to stand for us.
@msw
Is this Don Jr. again?
18
You've entirely missed the point, haven't you. This isn't about any of the McCains.
15
Years ago there was a little neighbor boy who every Halloween would dress up as his favorite form of transportation.
When he was three, his dad, an architect, made him a cardboard firetruck costume. When he was four, he was a subway car.
He's grown now, but in his honor but this coming Halloween I hope Dads in D.C. build USS John McCain costumes for their sons and daughters, and go a-knockin' on the White House door.
10
Someone has cried "wolf" once too often.
3
Knowing that there is evidence out there would Donald
Trump lie about such a thing?
Will the sun rise today?
5
Telling that Trump draws comparisons to Bush and Nixon—the two prior worst presidents.
5
Think about it!
This is what is real the meaning of the "deep state!" Wait until Trump is removed from office in hand cuffs by a democratic process, then there will be a coup by the military to declare Trump president for life. We will be walking in the foot steps of 3rd world nations. Thanks GOP for putting party ahead of country! The party of law and order, what a joke!
8
Some day soon, every building which once had the name Trump on it will remove the name, to great applause as it is taken off. It is more than a little upsetting to most Americans to see how petty this pathological narcissist can be. He demeans the dignity of the office of POTUS on a daily basis.
8
The entire situation is disgraceful. And the best example of how the Republicans have been swallowed whole by Trump is the deafening silence coming from Senator Lindsay Graham.
16
Graham's stance reeks of blackmail.
11
S North, I believe this is the case with Graham, too. Nothing else explains his complete capitulation. I don’t believe he is being compromised for financial crimes, nor do I believe he is power hungry, but I do think someone has the goods on him for personal actions that only Republicans consider a crime. If that’s the reason, he’s in the wrong party. He should come on over to the big tent that welcomes all.
6
"Let’s Not Upset the President", on the contrary if it means allowing Trump to to act in such a ridiculous way and not pandering to his ridiculous and petty demands then upsetting him is secondary.
Trump is going to be very upset on his visit to the UK next week.
He is going to be met by mass protests and the return of Baby Blimp. In a recent poll 54% of Londoners do not want him here. During the president’s visit to the UK last July, an estimated 250,000 people protested on the streets of central London.This year, the organisers behind the anti-Trump protests are expecting similar numbers.
The campaign group Stop Trump said: “Trump is coming back for a state visit and we have to get out there again in a diverse Carnival of Resistance that shows we reject Trump’s divisive politics and policies of bigotry, hate and greed.”
8
All sorts of ways to let underlings know what’s wanted. Is there no one who can rid me of this troublesome priest? And if troublesome questions arise, it’s easy enough, especially for an experienced pro like Trump, to lie one’s way out.
6
Of course he knew about it. There isn't the faintest doubt.
5
Commenter "scientist" doesn't believe Trump's supporters should be listened to:
"And the polls still say he has the support of 45%. What do you think about that, America?"
Actually, it's probably about 51%, if we've learned anything at all from the 2016 election.
As many did, I watched the final episode of "Game of Thrones" Sunday night, including the scene near the end where various notables appeared in King's Landing (HOW they'd got there was never explained, nor was WHY clear to me), to pick the new king (spoiler: they picked Bran, as most prognosticators had predicted). Just before they picked, one character -- Sam -- had the audacity to suggest that the ruled citizens ought to have a say in choosing the person who would rule them.
We call that democracy, but democracy apparently wasn't real popular back then, at least not in King's Landing. Sam's suggestion drew polite laughter, and then was utterly ignored.
"Scientist" would have been one of the people who ignored Sam's suggestion -- and probably would have laughed too.
With good reason. After all, Trump supporters are -- by definition, or close to it -- stupid and deplorable. The very last thing they should be given is a say in who will be their President (aka a "vote"). Much more sensible to let people like "scientist" declare that they are specially qualified to make such decisions on behalf of the hoi polloi.
That "democracy" stuff is highly overrated.
2
For any kid sitting in their 11th grade classroom looking around at the loud mouths and bullies that are disrupting class... dreaming of a time when they will be old enough to escape that environment and entire a more mature reality... read this article, get depressed, and vote for something different in 2020. Most of you will be of legal age by next election. Spoiler alert, life will never be perfect, but it can certainly be better than this.
7
The article uses examples of former Presidents also politicizing military, adding: "But Mr. Trump has taken both habits to greater extremes." Look at who the other two were: George W., who got into a bloody war with Iraq under false pretexts, and Nixon. No coincidence that he's joined this deplorable club. All three had major problems with the truth, although it's true that Trump's performance hits a new low on the pettiness scale.
9
Nobody said it better than George Will:
“Dislike of him should be tempered by this consideration: He is an almost inexpressibly sad specimen. It must be misery to awaken to another day of being Donald Trump. He seems to have as many friends as his pluperfect self-centeredness allows, and as he has earned in an entirely transactional life. His historical ignorance deprives him of the satisfaction of working in a house where much magnificent history has been made. His childlike ignorance — preserved by a lifetime of single-minded self-promotion — concerning governance and economics guarantees that whenever he must interact with experienced and accomplished people, he is as bewildered as a kindergartener at a seminar on string theory.”
18
@Ralphie
When George Will starts making sense, I start looking for four horsemen on the horizon.
3
Well, the court jesters' fear of the king, one supposes. This administration is one big, disorganized collection of 'bad visuals,' on display for the world's people to see (and their view is likely more clear than the view of most Americans, insulated as they are by a media environment driven by ratings and bait).
5
Whether Mr. Trump knew in advance or not, it's truly alarming that staff people feel compelled to take such extraordinary steps to baby-proof everywhere the president goes.
7
I truly wonder when, or even if, we will witness a real president in the White House again. What really scares me is that no one seems to take seriously the very real possibility that in a 2nd term, he might push an effort to make changes to the Constitution.
6
"decisions were made by midlevel officers"
To be sure. But the final responsibility for decisions in any group is held by the person at the top. This is a basic rule of organizational ethics.
Trump sets the tone. Others look to his lead.
His leadership is strongly wanting. With this specific incident, I have never been more embarrassed by a President of our country.
My deepest regrets to the McCain family. And to all Americans.
10
Do people really think of John McCain as a war hero?
"Democratic lawmakers termed it petty vindictiveness against a dead war hero."
Trump was wrong to criticize McCain for having been captured. But the Democratic party is wrong too, wrong to describe McCain as a "hero" BECAUSE he was captured.
The correct approach would be to declare that no soldier will be punished or criticized for having been captured in a war, but that a soldier who's been captured won't automatically be declared a war hero.
I recommend you read David Foster Wallace's "Up, Simba" to understand why non-Trumpers think of McCain as a hero.
1
@Commenter
A. Used money and family influence to claim "bonespurs" to avoid service.
B. Volunteered and entered service and served in combat missions.
I will leave it to the reader to consider who is the more deserving of admiration and respect regardless of whether anyone is a hero for their service.
But for me those siding with Trump on any issues regarding McCain's service don't even have thin ice to skate on.
5
@Commenter
And what do you say of a person who avoids the the callup by faking a medical condition having to do with bone spurs? Sends others to war for him to stay home to spend his daddies money? Prefers dining with dictators to friends? Calls his lover, a person who uses military weapons like anti-aircraft gun to destroy his political enemies some of who are his own family members? Makes tax cuts that are great for his real estate moguls but so-so for everyone else.
You call him "president" a true hero.
1
Clearly D Trump does not think (or reason) like other people. The question, it seems to me, is not why or how he thinks and behaves as he does. The question is, why do people pretend the President is wearing clothes.
38
100 percent that Trump ordered this. Why would an underling, easily disposed of, do this? Oh no,. Ok, why does it matter? Hey trumpers out there, because vets and who ACTUALLY did something to risk their life should count for something. No? My uncle did, my father, a Missouri native, did, in WWII. Commander-in-chief of the armed forces? Shame on him, shame!
21
Can there be much doubt that Trump not only ordered this but wanted it and and his denial made public in order to distract from the Mueller report and Congressional investigations that have and will continue to rev eal his impeachable offenses?l
22
@Alan J. Shaw
You give him too much credit. He doesn't think that far ahead. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
2
@Chrislav
I don't give Trump credit for being "right" about anything, but there is an element of intentionality in the words and actions of megalomaniacs and the criminally deranged. What is frightening and dangerous is that his staff, Republican leaders and his followers continue to enable him. We have seen this before in the last century, most notably in Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
2
Wonder who's going to "walk the plank" on this one and be expelled from The White House. You can bet it won't be Trump.
14
Trump says he knew nothing of the many attempts to remove McCain's name in any form from his Japanese visit. But Trump LIES about EVERYTHING, and these contortions fit perfectly with how Trump operates. So I do not believe Trump.
The irony here is if John McCain had not been so desperate to win at any cost in 2008, he would not have picked Sarah Palin as his running mate, the Tea Party would not have happened, and we would not be saddled with Trump. Trump owes McCain. Instead he works as hard at erasing John McCain from history as he does Barack Obama.
13
Who is going to deal with the crew wearing Make Air Crew Great Again? Are you kidding me? THAT portrays more the tipping point than anything I have seen yet.
An absolutely vile man, leading a divided empire, crumbling as the long shadow closes in.
Good luck
38
The president is still responsible for the actions of his staff. If he can't manage the White House then how can he run the country?
26
Being "concerned about the visuals" says it all -- this administration has all the depth, meaning and authenticity of a rigged-for-media-consumption photo op.
14
We should be ashamed of ourselves and ashamed on behalf of He-who-has-no-shame!
17
And the polls still say he has the support of 45%. What do you think about that, America?
15
This sounds exactly like what Putin would want, debasing our military by reducing it to a mere prop in the reality TV show that is Mr. Trump's life. But is this clumsy affront to human decency and insult to a war hero enough to finally open the eyes of the Republicans? I'm not holding my breath.
17
Trump not knowing about the hiding of the USS McCain is the point of hiding it. It’s being hidden from him.
5
I weep for our country.
18
@Anne And your reaction is just the right one. From over here it is becoming increasingly obvious that the USA under Trump is in a political and moral decline that will have unknown ramifications in the years to come. Trump is dragging the country into the gutter with his antics and is losing the trust of allies of the USA as well as their respect. What this means is that the country will become more and more isolated and a laughing stock. Weep indeed.
3
How does that help?
Tears help no one.
1
The Resident had to get out of Dodge, way away, for this particular national holiday. The boos from whatever crowd he addressed would have been terrible visuals and audio. The U.S.S. McCain would up as the usual gaff that this administration is so capable of. The electorate made a vast mistake in 2016. Let's see whether it can be rectified, plus interest in 2020.
13
What a great way to disrespect all those working on the ship - not extend them invitations, and sideline their ship. Then he lies about it. What a prince.
28
What was the chain of command in this decision ? Was it simply assumed that the commander in chief would like it, or was he involved ? Did old buddy Lindsay Graham phone McCain's mother to cover for his good buddy trump.
11
Just rename it the USS Putin and be done.
39
Sadly, this is one more occasion for Trump to remind the world that his sense of decency is phenomenally tinier than his hands.
36
Good one, Gina.
9
Time for the Navy to build a 6 foot dingy and name it the U.S.S. Bonespur. Or maybe the U.S. BonespurMAX to add props for the former Boeing CEO who's now Secretary of Defense. At only 6 ft I bet the Military Industrial Complex could keep the cost under $250 million.
30
He only likes ships named after military people who weren't captured.
13
Trump is a small fraction of a man.
22
@The Heartland
I say this kindly, but I think you are way too generous. I think he is far less than a fraction.
2
Senator McCain was a Republican, and not one fellow Republican has spoken out. Cowards all.
73
Amen. Where is the outrage from our Republican Congress?
3
I’d like to ask the readership:
On what class of vessel shall we place the immortal monicker, “Donald John Trump.”
Does the Navy still sail garbage scows? Or can we just paint that on a Bomarc missile and fire it off in the general direction of Plum Island?
Wait, I know.
Lessee..,we’ll rechristen the Good Ship Lollypop.
12
@Robert Undoubtedly it would be popular in the Space Force, alongside the USS Putin.
4
It's the new normal: rational insanity. Staff up and down the line acting on fear of the irrationality and impulsivity of this particular Commander in Chief. Trying to out-crazy the crazy is typical long term reaction to being gas lighted.
It doesn't matter if Trump was aware of the directive or not. His staff knows how irrational he is in lashing out yet again at anything or anyone in the blink of an eye, including anyone who ever made his list of unfavorite notables.
How ironic that by trying to prevent some untoward incident if Trump saw the McCain aircraft carrier while he was visiting Japan, all the attempts to airbrush the ship out of the picture ended up creating an incident that has drawn global media attention anyway.
There's no easy road for the grownups in any agency with this guy at the helm: it has all become an endless job of sorting out which of Trump's ad hoc disruptions could actually serve American interests, and which are just the ever more bizarre effects of Trump (and his minders and lackeys) trying to gloss over his erratic service in an office for which he remains unfit.
16
Build defiance as you would a muscle. Practice it everyday. In the moment of truth, your willingness to speak truth to power may leave yet you. But if you haven’t cultivated it at all, you will never develop it in that moment.
Practice defiance every day.
11
Only self-serving draft dodgers (as distinct from principled draft-refusers who appropriately paid a price), such as Bush Jr. and Trump would pettily dishonor the military by using it as a political prop, the former with his "Mission Accomplished" flight onto an aircraft carrier and Trump trying to hide the ship (and crew apparently) of the ship, the John McCain.
Unfortunately, none of this surprises me. What does surprise me, sadly, is that the Republican Party, formerly staunch defenders of the military, cower before the tweeted wimpiness of the Entertainer-In-Chief, even those Republicans who have served honorably in our military. I'd call them all chicken, but I have more respect for the birds than to make that analogy.
32
This action reported to be initiated by the White House shows that many close to Trump see him as so petulant that he can’t be trusted to execute the duties of the office of president while on foreign soil if he were to see something that might disturb him like the name of his arch rival, John McCain. Seems like megalomania is a sufficient reason for invoking the 25th Amendment.
15
Oh, c'mon! REALLY?!?! This administration has NEVER done ANYTHING with a "well-meaning" intent. The McCain name was not covered up by a reckless new recruit. It could not happen without the ship's commanding officer ordering someone to order someone else to do it. This was all about Trump's hate for McCain.
Now, as a left-of-center Democrat, I frequently disagreed with John McCain on many issues but, I never doubted his devotion and patriotism to country over party. Sharing a few beers together would have been a nice way to end the day.
At any rate, this is just another of those dumb decisions from Camp Tramp that has senior advisor/campfire stoker, Stephen Miller's, finger prints all over it. But could he actually convince the captain of a US Naval vessel to cover the name of the vessel to keep The Donald from having a no good, very bad day? Smear. Deny. Repeat.
18
Words cannot express my disgust for Trump. For those of us who served, to have this despicable draft dodger disparage the memory of McCain is beyond the pale.
To hang a drape over the name of a war hero is the ultimate insult to every man and woman who has served.
I am appalled, utterly and completely appalled.
33
And we should believe him why? Why is his staff and others in the now shattered republican party afraid of him? He's just a self-serving egotistical, lying, narcissist, insecure unhinged bully. His incoherent rantings and ravings prove something is very wrong.
In no way can he measure up to the late Sen. McCain. He is just insanely jealous. I heard on a TV talk show today that he shouldn't worry, someday the Navy will name a ship in his honor called, The USS Bone Spur.
13
I am appalled at Trump’s behavior, but unfortunately not surprised.
What totally frosts me is that anyone in the military acquiesced to demands from staff instead of a direct order from the CINC himself for such a pathetic stunt.
The commander of the McCain should resign in disgrace. Anyone above that rank who made that order or passed it along should, too. The name of a Navy ship should NEVER be hidden in shame. The sailors of that ship should NEVER be made to feel anything other than pride to represent their country.
And on Memorial Day?!
20
Whether Trump knew about this specific act is irrelevant. The important point is that his aides regard him as a silly, paranoid, narcissistic and mindless fool who must be shielded from things like this in order to maintain a facade of of a veneer of sanity. Out here where the tall corn grows most of the professional class has given up any claim to decency and professionalism and are wallowing down in the slough with him.
13
I suppose the WH will order a large tarp to be drawn over the Statue of Liberty and Lincoln Memorial every time Air Force One flys by.
5
Guess we know which destroyer will first be deployed to Iran.
7
Don't blame the Navy; they had no choice but to follower orders
this order directly from WH was preposterous, but not illegal
2
@Steven
The "White House" can issue a legal order? I thought the only occupant of the White House that could issue a legal order to the military was the President of the United States of America. If that is the case he's lied to you and the rest of us about knowing of the order.
Can't have it both ways.
1
Huh.
And here I thought Lardlad was more a Hide the Salami kind of guy.
4
Even before Trump's trumpeting of the despicable birther lie, he was clearly nothing more than a pathetic excuse for a human being. This story is but just one more piece of evidence of what a low-life he is.
'Course, tens of millions voted for him and continue to bow before him and kiss his ring.
What is wrong with us?
16
What a shameful display of petty vindictiveness and jealousy at the McCain's military legacy. Every time he goes abroad he finds a way to insult his hosts and embarrass his countrymen. On these occasions, somebody needs to hang a tarp over Trump
16
Wow, this has the rank odor of 'Individual 1'. This time the coverup was done with a tarp!
9
The modern US military is a vacuum of taxpayer $$ and integrity. Like that time when a Navy plane bombed a hospital in Grenada.
4
The Bloated Boy's childishness knows no bottom.
10
Reprehensible! The Ship is named after 3 Generations of the McCain Family, All who has served Honorably.
9
What a sad, pathetic, little man our president is.
And how terrifying it is that our military would hide their own name, and sacrifice their honor, to assuage our president's insecurity.
9
Kim Jung Un just executed a number of government officials who failed him.
I bet Trump is jealous.
8
Yes, too bad the NY Times and the rest of the Trump-hate media didn't get those visuals, so it could use them to gin up some additional Trump Derangement among the faithful. Oh well, back to the Russian Collusion non-collusion and three cheers for Messiah Mueller announcing that from now on a prosecutor's job in late-day America is deciding whether to exonerate someone of a crime even if they don't have enough evidence of a crime in the first place. And the NYT and the Mueller cheer squad are the ones who say Trump is leading America to Fascism?
Bad visuals? I was expecting pathetic and got bathos. I was expecting a bit of drama not sleeping pills.
1
Does anyone believe this garbage that our coward in chief is not behind the humiliating act of hiding this ship? What are the men and women of the armed services and the nation coming to when they follow any insane idea this dotard’s brain spits out to denigrate any person who dared say no to him. Will there ever be a time when we finally are pushed too far of indecency? Does the late, great, Sen John McCain have to rise from the dead to shut him up in order to get some peace?
How does this pitiful, embarrassing buffoon, Pvt. Bone Spur, suppress a pathetically mute republican congress, hand-pick a dishonorable attorney general, and silence the special counsel, noted for his diligence, honor and integrity? And today, now, most sickeningly, the soulless people involved in hiding this nobly-named ship, Please? How does he bring everyone in authority down to his level? And what can you tell your children about the perverted MAGA slogan that embarrasses the USA every time he opens his ugly mouth. Why do all the men we used to look up to continue to be so emasculated by this bully who arrogantly demeans and insults the women and daughters you love? Make no mistake of his systematical denigration of women at every level. Can anyone remember when we used to be shocked? Is there no one who will stand up and stop this unraveling of our basic humanity by a cad who has none? Where are our heroes? Do they even exist any more? If not now, when?
18
They fear him. They don’t respect him.
Wanda Sykes points out comically that the proof that White House staff don’t respect the President is that they let him walk up to Air Force One with toilet paper stuck on his heel. You’d stop a stranger.
9
I'm traveling in NW Montana, where today I saw TRUMP flags on flagpoles next to the American flag (on private property). Heaven help us, I fear we are divided beyond reconciliation.
6
I wonder how the parents of the brave sailors serving on the USS McCain feel? I'm a Democrat. McCain was a Republican. I think this incident is an affront to all Americans, regardless of party or ideology. How low have we sunk when a US naval vessel and the brave sailors serving on it have to be "disappeared" to cater to the emotional insecurities of a man who doesn't have the character to scrape the mud off John McCain's boots?
11
"The hide-the-ship scheme during Mr. Trump’s visit to Japan drew a torrent of criticism. The president insisted he knew nothing about it."
.... and since he has never lied to anyone, we believe him!
7
@Eddie B. And, even if he really didn't know, shouldn't he have known? And isn't he responsible in the end, anyway?
3
I wonder if this isn't more about White House aids not being able to admit that they were worried not about the visuals, but that the President would start talking about McCain and just keep at it without remembering he was actually supposed to be doing something else.
4
America has long had a problem with these "bad visuals", which are truly fearful.
I suppose that a wall to hide these "bad visuals" and more "good visuals" with guns would help solve that problem, since everyone knows these "bad visuals" are from South America and are in illegally in America.
1
I left the Army as a young sergeant many years ago.
I left gladly, but I've acknowledged frequently to myself in the more than half century since that the experience was the most intense education I encountered: learning the merits and weaknesses of huge institutions; of the rigidity, the authoritarianism they exemplify; of learning how to maneuver within them and around them and learning to question endlessly; in learning, especially, the value to the selfishly ambitious of sycophancy.
We have seen a parade of slack-spined military rankers in this administration, successful sycophants all: Flynn, the Turkish agent; "General We-don't-do-stunts"Mattis; Kelly, the tough Marine, an unashamed liar, cowed by Trump; McMaster, the beer salesman, afraid to acknowledge Trump made top secret intelligence public; and now the Pentagon trembles before some White House slug and Navy commanders, like quivering Midshipman, rush to avoid offending the cowardly emperor with the sight of the name McCain.
I never admired the bombast and chest-thumping of the veterans' groups, but I've been quietly proud that I made sergeant during my enlistment. This military, this Pentagon, this president, strip those stripes of meaning and value.
11
The mythologizing of John McCain is utterly misplaced and demeans the Navy. Far from heroic he ran from a ship board emergency while brave seamen responded bravely, many at cost to their lives. His name should be permanently removed from this and all public properties.
@Edwin I'd love to see how you would've fared in the Hanoi Hilton.
10
They had to "paint the roses red" to avoid the wrath of the angry little king. We are in the nonsense world of Carroll's Wonderland now and I wish it were only as simple as being to shaken awake.
Vote, agitate, call out the lies and search for the truth.
9
"Defenders of Mr. Trump said it was hard to imagine that he would penalize sailors because of his feelings for Mr. McCain."
Er...whut? In what universe is this difficult to imagine??
We have a POTUS who courts dictators and autocrats, openly accepts the interference of foreign powers in our elections, and mocks/insults the disabled, women, veterans, labor unions, a free press, and anyone who disagrees with him.
I find this all too easy to imagine.
9
Since when could we believe something Trump says? Seriously.
5
A new low for Trump and his enablers. At least, until next week. This nightmare can’t end soon enough.
9
Shame on any U.S. citizen that disrespects John McCain. Period. Especially by those who have not served in the armed forces. I don’t care what your politics are, without a common cause and respect for those who commit sacrifices for our freedoms we are nothing but dogs. Remember and respect the past ways and motivations that defined our great country. Resist the easy individual short term gains that erode out great traditions. Make America Great Again!! and vote out those who do not represent the traditional concepts of fair play, respect, and U.S. democracy, otherwise get a good dog collar and wait to be fed.
6
Bottom line. John McCain was a POW after having been shot down over Hanoi. He suffered torture. As a senator he was against the US using torture. He turned down a chance to leave Vietnam early because he respected his fellow prisoners and felt others should be released before he was. During his run for the presidency he spoke up for President Obama. He gave a heartfelt concession speech asking for unity of the country.
McCain was a true American hero, a treasure. An honorable man. Compare this man to the punk we have in the White House now. It is disgusting.
13
Hope, Muller is reading this
5
Sorry about these new tariffs, Mexico. Probably wouldn’t have happened had Shanahan or Bolton been able to find a tarp to cover your country—and get everyone’s minds off the dead pilot from Arizona who’s still haunting Trump’s (lonely) bedtime dreams.
5
The far more scary and significant issue is that the Navy sailors wore Trump patches on their shockers with impunity.
to only does this evidence a total breakdown in military ethics and command, it provides more than. wifi of Fascist politics.
This is no hypothetical, as Bolton and Abrams seek coup in Venezuela by military backing.
7
If there’s ever a ship named after trump, it will be a garbage scow. It will be poorly constructed, have a leaky hull, move slowly and be visible for miles from the smoke coming from its coal-fired boiler.
It will remain on the navy roll for a shorter period than any other ship because it is already foundering and will sink soon.
6
Note to all Democratic candidates: the Party epithet for Trump is “Snowflake Donald”.
16
Let's not forget that officials thought it would be inappropriate for Colin Powell to speak about war in Iraq with the 20th century’s most iconic protest against the inhumanity of war as his backdrop. If Picasso's work of art can be covered-up why not the name on a "destroyer" (an instrument of war) in Japan (first victims of the ultimate war crime, nuclear bombs).
@Newsbuoy: No rational government would have gone war on Iraq before the UN inspectors turned up WMD violations, on the pretext it had somehow instigated the 9/11 attack.
2
What makes me sad about this is that it doesn't seem there is any egregious act that Trump can commit that will disturb his base and get them to open their eyes to who it is they are supporting. What will it take?
35
Nothing he does or says will change the minds of his base. But I hope that his ongoing words and actions abusing the integrity of his office will finally motivate independents, and those that declined to vote in 2016, and even some Republicans, to vote him out in 2020.
5
@Bruce
Bruce,
It will take a crushing defeat in 2020 for this edition and hopefully last edition of the Republican Party. Watch Fox News and you will see how disturbing and full of hate and lies it is. Republican's voter's are nicely entertained but really know nothing of what is going on. This is the truth. And they may also be stupid or perhaps ignorant is a better kinder word.
6
Trump, the pathological liar, claims to not have known about this disgraceful incident. Even if he, for once, is telling the truth he still bears responsibility for hiring the toadies who facilitated this outrage. Senator McCain, his father, and his grandfather all deserve our respect for their service. The sailors who serve on the USS John S. McCain deserve better treatment from their Commander-in-Chief.
21
@Robert Nevins: In the Navy, when they let you off the ship to do whatever you want ashore, it is called "liberty"
And why did Cain hate Abel? Because his own deeds were evil, while his brother, righteous.
1 John 3:12
14
@Lauren
More like "And why did Unable hate McCain?"
5
Love thy brother now.
2
Obviously, Trump's PR people were trying to avoid a toddler tantrum on the world stage. Epic fail.... again!
18
What else is new ?
3
I pity the petty "President".
13
The President insists on many things.
I guess at some point it's possible ONE of them might be true.
5
@trudds: Like a virtual particle in quantum physics.
7
Shocking how many Americans participate in this outrage and continue to support this disgusting behavior. In a democracy we deserve the government we get.
12
@Ostinato: Nobody asked for my informed consent to be born into this glorious manifestation of divinity.
2
Two things
Trump was not aware that the USS McCain’s name was covered up. His aides and some non patriotic Navy idiots did that. Trump just saw the ship with a tarp over part of it and surmised, with his calm genius ability, that it was the latest in stealth technology - he thought he was the only one to see it because he has obviously the best vision of anyone.
Secondly, what’s up with North Koreas Kim killing his negotiators after the most recent failed summit? What can a person say ? Just as a reminder for no particular reason, I want to remind Kim that Trump, Pompeii and Bolton also we’re involved in the negotiations...
5
@Jpkelly: Don't we all long to be pixels in coordinated choreographed mass displays of adoration of the Kims and Trumps above us?
3
I have had no respect for trump when he said John McCain is not a war hero. I can not fathom how republicans who support our veterans can support Trump when he says McCain was not a war hero. Trump is so small to criticize and demean someone for the way he votes on legislation. McCain has the right to vote as he believes. Evidently Trump was never taught to respect others and their right to have a different opinion on an issue than you.
20
@P Lock: Being the son of a hero has plusses and minuses.
1
Look at the president's language. "I'm not a fan." That tells you a lot about how the president feels about interactions between people. He cannot distinguish social interaction (no one would have asked him to invite the late senator to a cheeseburger picnic) and business interaction: they are the same to him. He cannot distinguish between his personal interests and those of the country: they are the same to him. These are some of the defining characteristics of authoritarian rulers. As we know from surveys of 2016 Trump voters, his supporters tend to cotton to an authoritarian leader who tells them how to think.
20
@Gnirol: Trump is all projection and a complete void of reception.
2
He also exhibits the behavior of a mob boss, demanding loyalty and directing an organized crime family. I’m just hoping he is eventually held accountable through one of the many ongoing investigations of him and his family.
3
This has got Trumps dirty, nasty, revenge at all costs, fingerprints all over it. Trump is beyond petty, childish to-the core, and can't stop lying.
18
This is blatant misuse of government resources for political purposes. Those involved should be held to account. Ridiculous decision making like this undermines the public’s faith in their government. I’m a proud public servant and the vast, vast majority of my colleagues are faithful public servants. It’s rotten apples like the ones behind this decision to “hide” a naval destroyer (how many public resources were wasted in the process?) because it has the name of a political foe of the President’s on it who make public officials look like a bunch of untrustworthy chumps. Well, in this case, it’s accurate as to them—they are a bunch of untrustworthy chumps.
6
Putin, the super-wealthy oligarch, came up through the Soviet power structure and is steeped in the Soviet mentality.
Putin is a mentor and role model to trump.
So is it any wonder that trump should have transmitted Soviet ways of thinking to his staff? In particular, a person who in life or posthumously is a thorn in the great leader's flesh should never be spoken of. Never mind if trump didn't know about it ahead of time, he said his courtiers "meant well" in screening the name of John McCain from his sensitive eyes. And so, in classic Soviet style, McCain became an unperson.
22:15 EDT, 5/30
8
Lie #10,284.
9
Do you remember Trump's surprise Christmas visit last year to the troops in Iraq? His staff brought along MAGA hats for the soldiers, which army regulations prohibit them from wearing.
The staffers apparently didn't know about this rule or didn't care. The visit was really about Trump, with the troops serving as backdrop.
The visit to the sailors in Japan was the same -- using the U.S. Navy as a backdrop for a sort of Trump rally, with his staff giving out patches with Trump's image to put on the sailors' uniforms (also against the rules).
His staff knows what he wants -- to be the center of attention and adulation, and they provide that for him.
19
It just one more in the mind-numbing, mind-boggling parade of gross insults to the nation by Trump. Impeach. Now.
23
The Sgt. Schultz defense does not apply here. What are you going to do about this Mr President. Are you going to fire the people involved?
14
Why, when Trump said about McCain in 2015 that "he was a war hero because he was captured, and I like people who weren't captured", when he would not maintain the flag at half staff at McCain's death, when, over time, he has made many other jabs at McCain, why would anyone believe that he didn't direct this episode? We have a very disturbed man as commander and chief, completely unable to control his behavior, unaware and unconcerned with the survival of our nation.
26
Pettiness can be misunderstood. I worked in an office where people toadied to the lady in charge. The goal was to read her mind and hope she liked some gesture. The result was a shrinking of self esteem. Poison the blood stream fills, the poison spreads and kills...poetic incident.
7
The man is unfit to be President. He is ignorant, immoral, and insulting to the memory of a man who served his country with a conscience and with honor. I pray for the day he is no longer able to defile our precious country.
38
Well said. I pray for the day I never have to hear his name again.
7
JK Rowling still said it best:
"You tiny, tiny, tiny little man."
(Twitter, May 25, 2017)
43
Trump is mentally deranged, carrying a grudge against a dead man! Why hasn’t the Republican party gotten him a psychiatrist,
17
@Grandma . Rather a prison jumpsuit
17
Clueless Trump doesn’t realize that Senator McCain’s thumbs down on Obamacare repeal saved his Presidency, and thus he should revere rather than denigrate the war hero. Had McCain given the thumbs up to the repeal, millions of Trump’s forever faithful base ( and millions more) would have lost their healthcare coverage, been subject to preexisting condition exclusions and exploding premiums. Instead his deluded followers remain loyal in their belief that Trump has their best interests at heart. Trump and his lackey Barr are hellbent on nullifying Obamacare in the Supreme Court. Will Justice Roberts be Trump’s next object of scorn? Let’s hope he is.
15
He just gave a recent diatribe about how he was the "MOST" (ha-ha-ha) transparent president...so trump, let's have it. Americans deserve to know the name of each and every person involved in this shameful act to dishonor American military heroes and those currently in service on this destroyer. And you knew nothing about this trump, really, are you sure?
As a democrat, I did not agree with McCain quite often; however, I never questioned his service, honor, or courage.
In the world of machiavellian, immoral politicos like graham and mcconnell, John McCain has also earned new respect as a politician by many democrats. Above all I (we) have respect for heroes, esp when taken too soon from serious illness.
To the trump administration - we need to know everyone who was involved and they must be fired or demoted...or publicly reprimanded. Not acceptable, this is not the America we can accept. Military service cannot be slandered and trampled on by a draft dodger, as the republicans and this trump allow, where are you military giants, the hero now? Demand accountability, this is not optional.
17
Trump is so petty. He's beyond irony - it's like he is perpetually in third grade - "I know you are, but what am I?" and "Bounces off me, sticks to you." are the taunts he lives by.
Lost in the covfefe about this is that John McCain was also a Republican. Supposedly in the *same* political party. Wasn't it Saint Reagan who said the Republican Commandment is "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."? HOW FAR WE HAVE FALLEN. And Trump continues to lead America down further, every day. Trump knows, deep inside, how he should feel, but in public, shame is beyond him. No class, no intelligence, no humility, no irony, and no shame. What a pathetic creature.
18
What does that say about our pathetic country. Is there no way out of this madness.
4
Save the Trump from seeing the name McCain and what do we get? A news cycle that mentions John McCain , war hero, over and over again. Trump has a screw loose.
12
Agree, but predictably, he fired back: “Trump later tweeted that the Navy had "put out a disclaimer" on the story. "Looks like the story was an exaggeration, or even Fake News - but why not, everything else is!"
2
The vessel looks like a poorly maintained rust-bucket to me. Where does the $725 billion the US spends on "defense" go?
2
To pay for secret service golf cart usage at Mar-a-lago.
11
NICE rhyme, gentlemen.
3
Please never forget, this ship was named after *THREE* GENERATIONS OF McCAINS!!! Who served this nation well.
Trump knows so little, so he thinks the name is only about the Senator who stood up to him and called him out when it was called for. And no one stands up to Trump until called out by irrefutable photographic evidence, which is colossally shameful.
And so Trump and underlings go after a dead war hero, with a tarp and a barge. I feel like we all need a shower.
18
I retired from the United States Navy in 1994.... I always heard about the toughness of the sailors and jarheads ahead of me. I can’t imagine not receiving 30+30 half a month and a bust when I told the officer who told me to cover the ships name for no reason other than an ego
7
Petty. Despicable. Typical.
18
I was no fan of McCain, but I recognize him as a hero and as someone who demonstrated moral fibre thought his life.
This clearly demonstrates the rot inside the White House.
Trump is no patriot, and the Republicans, the party that has hid behind the flag for decades, continues to acquiesce to his antics.
17
Trump, he's beneath the sailors he (and his minions, I suppose) disrespected, beneath the dignity of the occasion (the celebration of the Emperor's enthronement), beneath the men whose memories these actions disrespected and beneath the dignity of the ship (literally, the ship) that represents those memories. He is simply beneath it all. And most especially beneath the office he holds.
The only thing Trump might not be beneath is himself and the expectations of how low he can go to serve himself over the nation.
9
As Nancy Pelosi so eloquently said, there needs to be an "intervention" by family, friends, staff or Congress.
17
The eloquent Speaker Pelosi also knows not to bring a knife to a gun fight. I hope she remembers that very soon.
1
When it will end.....The Trump nightmare.
12
@Elniconickcbr
Hopefully no later than Nov, 2020 - if nothing can de done sooner.
3
How low can you go?
Pretty low, obviously.
Is it possible to be that sick?
Apparently, yes.
14
On the contrary, it it is easy to imagine that Trump would penalize sailors because of his feelings for Mr. McCain.
11
That isn’t supposed to matter; more scared men too cowardly to say no to a coward.
2
This kind of insulting garbage is just what Donnie does when he is bored...more importantly are things he does like exchange letters of admiration with authoritarian monsters who do things like this;
"SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea executed Kim Hyok Chol, its special envoy to the United States, and foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations for the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February, holding them responsible for its collapse, a South Korean newspaper reported on Friday."
So we all need to think about how important it is for our kids and their kids and all who come after us that we snuff out this worship of aggression and fear and scapegoating that Donnie has showered our nation with.
16
@greg: Trump finds himself in such miraculous circumstances that it could not have happened without divine intervention.
3
All it takes is good men to do nothing for evil to rule. We should remember our history.
4
Why didn't the Navy push back immediately? More importantly, why does anybody in the military support this floor flusher?
16
@Lono: The military is a kiss up kick down pecking order, like Trump's gestalt.
5
@Lono
Money. If Trump gets mad he'll turn off the military spigot.
1
There is nothing so shameful that the Donald can do that the sycophants in the Republican Party won’t excuse, nothing. He’ll deny, lie and blame some nameless subordinate & they’ll pony up to kneel at his feet and kiss his ring. I’m not surprised, Bush jr. was a feckless youth who avoided Vietnam by playing weekend warrior while drinking & drugging & his cabinet was full of draft dodging cowards like Bolton & Chaney & they won twice, even after messing up Afghanistan and lying us into the Iraq war. Trumps no better & rode to questionable success on his daddies coat tails just like jr.. sad.
16
Will someone please ask Lindsey Graham how he can be such a great friend of the late John McCain’s while he props up little ol’ petty tyrant Trump?
18
I’d ask him how he can claim to be human. Lindsey’s just another coward. He belongs with Trump. John McCain is way too good for him.
5
Trump is an absolute disgrace. Anyone that supports him at this point is either a fool or a sniveling lackey.
19
Lindsey Graham, how do you like him now?
18
Republicans stand by and say nothing. Disgusting.
20
Trump's sensitivity about John McCain to such an extent that he - or a member of his staff - would order the Navy to conceal John McCain's father's name on uniforms and a ship in Tokyo Harbor is outragious.
It is also grounds for impeaching Donald J. Trump to remove him from office. Any president who has such a thin skin that he cannot maintain his composure publically when he sees/hears the name of someone he dislikes is not fit to serve as president. Trump's repeated dissing of an American Senator, war hero, and combat veteran deserves impeachment. America must not be represented by a vengeful, unpredictable, petty tyrant. This is the opportunity that good Republicans have been waiting for to remove this imbarrassment to the Republican Party from the White House - permanently.
12
@BSmith: $725 billion per year on "defense" and the Navy can't keep this rust-bucket chipped and painted.
2
He's so petty and insecure. Doesn't matter if he's involved in the effort or not, every knows he would throw a tantrum if he sees the name "McCain" because it is a reminder of Trump's lies about the bone spurs that got him out of Vietnam. There is nothing a coward hates more than knowing that someone is braver than him.
12
@Elinor: Trump expects others to die to implement his brilliant insights.
3
Whoever gave the order to hide the name of a USS Navy ship should be punished. How humiliating for the US Navy.
9
@Shillingfarmer: It is enough to defeat the morale-building effect of eliminating bread and water rations for disciplinary infractions.
2
I still do not understand how veterans voted for, and still support, this president.
36
Perhaps the vets voted for the previous presidents as well.
3
"the late senator’s critical vote against the president’s health care proposal" -- what proposal? The vote was against repealing Obamacare without any proposed replacement.
20
Have we bottomed out yet ?
12
@r mackinnon No. I really haven't gotten tired of all this winning yet. The bond market is signalling the global economy is in for a fall. That might do it for me.
12
The sailors who put on those Trump political badges should be officially reprimanded. What a sickening abuse of power...again!
29
"The President insisted he knew nothing about it" How is this relevant? He has created a backward America afraid of John McCain's name on a warship, and that should be enough. It's like Hitler saying he knew nothing about Auschwitz.
16
The McCain was first named for the late Senator’s father and grandfather, each of whom were Admirals. The grandfather commanded. A fast carrier group in WW@. The father commanded subs against the Japanese. The father eventually reached CINCPAC. In fact he was in command during Vietnam when the late Senator was shot down by the North Vietnamese.
North Vietnam offered to release McCain in respect to his Father, McCain refused to be released and leave his comrades behind.
So Trump not only disrespected the Senator, he disrespected two deceased Admirals of the USN.
Does anyone think that the Navy missed that?
17
If the gate guards turned away sailors wearing the USS McCain insignia, then they must have been told by someone to do so. They don't have the authority to make that decision on their own.
Find out who told them which ships' sailors not to admit, and take it from there with busting any rank they had earned up to then unless they come clean.
Eventually we'll find out who is the snake (other than Trump).
24
Oh no, Trump doesn't do "Cover-ups".
20
The world is watching as our president is portrayed as an insecure narcissist that cannot handle a minor slight. We have seen Trump's cabinet meeting where they went around the room and each secy was expected to praise the president effusively. They all responded as expected except Mattis who left with dignity intact. Trump still has his staff testify to his calmness even ones that were not there at the meeting. Kim and Putin get this kind of adulation lest they wind up in a gulag or worse. Trump obviously yearns to be a hybrid of Kim and Putin with his family as kleptocrats and Barr on his knees before his hero king. THe military like the justice dept and intel agencies is being used as tools for the Trump political machine ,that's a dictatorship folks ,wake up.
13
Totally.
1
That 15-minute tirade on the White House driveway this morning? Full stable genius on display. If any licensed practitioner of psychiatry or psychology watched Trump’s impromptu news conference and still has trouble certifying this man as a raving lunatic should lose that license. Impeach now and I dare the voters to reelect an impeached president and carry the legacy of the black mark on our history.
18
I think I am finally out of adjectives to describe the venality of Trump. Even if I were able to add new descriptives to my vocabulary, I will always be outpaced by the never-ending spew of lies and bile that emerge from this mentally challenged idiot's piehole almost every hour of every day. Does Shanahan and the Naval chain-of-command think that Trump--who dodged military service because of bone spurs and bragged that avoiding STDs was his personal Vietnam--is more honorable than Senator McCain, who endured years as a POW and sustained serious injuries during his capture? I hope the GOP senate will finally show some decency by refusing to confirm Shanahan's appointment and I hope that Americans will soundly defeat the abomination that is Trump when he runs for reelection (assuming he is not impeached before 2020).
22
The GOP has shown they have no decency, over and over. With all good respect, though, the gop is not coming to save decency. They have proven that every time. People are not even shocked by the banal evil of this bunch. Until people understand this isn’t a rehearsal, we’re in serious trouble. We lose more every day. We can only count on our courage and intelligence and stop playing this losing game.
1
If the president of the country is offended by a ship named after a veteran, prisoner of war, and a courageous senator who have lived and acted based upon principles (even when wrong), what are the consequences to the world and the country when this supposed commander in chief must lead courageously? I quote Nancy, "I pray for the president and the USA".
9
Really? Our petty president is obviously not able to rein in his deplorable behavior on an international visit? How have we come to this?
12
By allowing it every time.
1
To give him credit - he didn't order it sunk!
But the reports are he mulled it over.
10
All of this presupposes the DJT can actually read. Is there nay evidence of same.
6
Trump, and those who serve him, have no honor. How any military person could follow cadet bone spurs is beyond me,
14
Everyone is missing the point. This is not about Donald Trump or John S. McCain. It's about the Sailors who crew that ship. They work hard and they are proud of their ship. When they hear "John S. McCain" they don't think of a man, they think of a ship and their shipmates who are part of that crew. When the Commander in Chief comes to visit, they deserve to see him and to hear what he has to say, regardless of party. When they take in all lines, nobody on that ship worries about who voted for who. They leave all that on the pier and put their lives in each other's hands. It is their service that is being sullied by all of this partisanship.
20
IMPEACH NOW. Before he splits the military into his camp and finalizes this creeping coup.
14
Will no one rid me of this meddlesome ship?!
9
Why is Sen. McCain referred to as "Mr. McCain"? That is inconsistent, is it not?
Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, said: “This is not a show. Our military is not a prop. Ships and sailors are not to be toyed with for the benefit of a fragile president’s ego.”
Au contraire, Mayor Pete. I'm sorry to inform you that it is all show, every bit to it. All have their parts to play in this "Three Penny Opera". What's happened in America since 2016 could have been cooked up in the acid minds of Jean Genet, Bertolt Brecht, or Samuel Beckett. We all are enjoined to salute our absurd Draft Dodger-In-Chief while he bobs vaguely on a faraway harbor.
15
Don’t you feel just a little dumb for falling for this story? It’s already been debunked. The ship was in dry dock for painting - that’s why the name was covered. Why don’t you just keep beating the impeachment drum - something the NYTimes specializes in.
@Jackson The only problem with your lie is that the MCCain was not in Drydock. She was moored “...Portside to....” and was afloat.
16
How do you explain away the sailors being turned away? Also, I could not find any collaboration to your claim
12
It was in dry dock last November. Maybe you need to get your facts straight and stop reading fake news?
https://www.stripes.com/news/uss-mccain-leaves-dry-dock-15-months-after-collision-that-killed-10-sailors-1.558170
14
This little man who is a commander in chief in name only, disgraces the office of the president with every living moment. A United States Navy ship is considered part of the United States wherever it is located in the world. So we have a prevaricating egomaniac who disavows part of the United States, not a surprise since women, Muslims, Hispanics, African-Americans, middle-class taxpayers, FBI agents, the press and anyone who is honest are also not part of his America.
13
Lifelong Democrat here who waited in a long line to pay my respects to Senator John McCain as he lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda. McCain was a true hero and public servant from a family of patriots and public servants. His political views were often different from mine but no one could question his sincerity or love of country.
Contrast that with Trump: an avaricious, opportunistic liar who dodged military service when we were at war. That the current Republican Party is dominated and apparently enslaved by such a man of low moral character and cowardice is beyond imagining.
They should all be ashamed of themselves.
20
Clearly time to invoke the 25th Amendment. The whitehouse clearly thinks the president is bonkers and can't handle the sight of the USS McCain. The mere thought that the whitehouse even conjured up this scheme is bonkers. Invoke the 25th amendment and toss Trump overboard. The constitution requires it. The nation wants it. Just do it.
14
Do it now, while we still can.
1
Oh-oh. This is gonna make Megan McCain a little mad.
7
More of the same from the Trump playbook; Deny everything and make counter accusations.
6
This "hide-the-ship scheme" is so typical of Trump enthusiasts.
This "bonehead" didn't even do his or her homework. The John S. McCain ship was named after the late Senator McCain's grandfather and father rather than after the late Senator. So much for a "well meaning gesture".
Good grief, if this is the caliber of the White House military operations office, then this country is in even more trouble than I thought.
I'm waiting for Mattel or some other game company to come up with the new board game, "Hide-The-Ship." I'll order 6 for Christmas Party White Elephant gifts.
10
This incident is very similar to Chris Christie's "Bridgegate" - a few close subordinates anticipate what will please their boss, but get caught - and in the meantime, their boss has plausible deniability. As in "Bridgegate", had there been no media blow up, the perpetrators would have enjoyed a good laugh around the water cooler with their boss after-the-fact. But getting caught allowed the boss to cut them loose unceremoniously.
Unlike John Gotti, who was recorded ordering hits on rivals, the cleverest mafia bosses are those who convey orders in only the vaguest of terms - a code really - and one understood clear as a bell by underlings. Unfortunately for us, Trump is this kind of crazy-as-a-fox boss. This is what Michael Cohen testified regarding the "order" to pay Stormy Daniels; and so he goes to prison, while Trump is still president.
At the end of the Star Trek episode, "Trouble with Tribbles", Captain Kirk asks McCoy and Spock what finally happened to the tribbles. At first, his two officers are cagey. But they finally reveal that without permission, they beamed the tribbles aboard the Klingon ship. At first, Kirk must go through the motions and act angry at this unauthorized act; but in the end, they all enjoy a good laugh.
But this is not Star Trek. I would'nt be surprised if in the future, some underling, in his zeal to anticipate what might please Trump, ends up doing something violent.
5
@Polyglot8 - but in Bridgegate, the people who had to implement the political scam were low level, and were given a "plausible" rationale as a cover story (i.e. the traffic study).
In contrast, there were high level Navy brass who went along with the WH politics and there were numerous Navy sailors who enjoyed the corruption and participated in a Fascist hero worship photo op.
5
You don’t honestly believe Christie didn’t know?
1
So President Snowflake is triggered by the mere name of a man he disliked; a man who’s now dead. Totally unfit for his job. Retire and stick to groping the cocktail waitresses and hotel chambermaids; it’s all you’re good for now. Disgraceful.
9
Anyone else sick and tired of playing nursemaid to this obnoxious brat who calls himself Trump, in gibberish and baby-talk with his toy Twitter?
13
Such a sick and petty man....
11
What a fine man the popular minority of Americans selected to be Commander-in-Chief! Someday a future president ought to name a garbage scow “ U.S.S. Trump” and sink it.
20
Trump, like all presidents, has a large staff. Some staff are to ensure that the president is met with cheers and not jeers. Some staff are charged with making the president comfortable and not uncomfortable. Some are charged with the guest roster thus ensuring that only friendlies are invited or seen in the same view as the president when he speaks. And the list goes on. And does the president approve of all the minute that goes into any event? Certainly not. That is what staff is for. So when Trump said he did not know what happened, I believe him. Someone, a member of his semi functional and semi loyal staff either thought they were doing the right thing OR they were being very deliberate in blackening Trump's eyes. There is so much hatred of the man, anything is possible; but a very visual self-inflicted wound seems to be in the realm of fantasy.
@Old sarge, right, so your not paying much attention if you think the grifter in chief isn’t capable of self inflicted idiocy & flights of fantasy. Naw, Trumps clown posse is certainly willing and capable of any number of acts of sycophantic stupidity & Trump the control freak likely knew the attempt to stage manage the ship out of sight. Sad that an ex military would support cadet bone spurs as he disrespects three generations of Navy personal. Remember Clinton the collage deferment “draft dodger”, bet you didn’t like him much eh. But Trump the phony medical deferment “draft dodger” he’s ok. Yeh sad that is & him pals with a former KGB Russian President & the little tyrant of the DPRK.
5
The fact that staff has to coddle the man baby that is our Commander in Chief should disturb you. Staff know he is easily triggered. He has been since day one. Remember how he forced staff to lie about his inaugural crowds?
6
Am I alone in my discomfort ? Soldiers openly wearing shoulder patches that depict the likeness of Donald Trump? In the last year I have heard both public commentary and private conversations from intelligent people who've voiced their concerns that Trump does not behave like a man likely to give up the office of the presidency, should he lose. Until this recent episode I dismissed such talk.
19
John McCain is a revered, celebrated hero-something Trump will never be.
13
Somehow I don’t believe him. Maybe it’s because he’s a proven serial liar. Maybe it’s because Trump is the only person who is so demonstrably petty to even think of such a thing.
13
When a US Navy ship docks anywhere in the world, it and its crew are ambassadors for all of America. Ships fly our flag proudly and represent American Ideals and strength throughout the globe.
In general, American ships give way to no one and no country. That the USS McCain and it's crew were demeaned in this way is an insult to the Navy and all Americans. That it was at the urging of the White House to appease the U. S. President adds to the insult of American forces throughout the world. I wonder if any of those White House staff members remembered that sailors vote.
13
This action by Trump's White House was shameful and disgusting. Rather than covering up the fact that as a country we have chosen to honor Senator McCain's life of service, sacrifice and patriotism, maybe our President could act his age rather than an immature childish narcissist who is so filled with envy that he can't tolerate the fact that Senator McCain was loved, cherished and set an example for all Americans
7
"Navy officials struggled to explain why a tarp was hung over the ship’s name, and later, where the president was scheduled to visit. The tarp, they said, was part of efforts to repair the hull; the barge was a painting barge."
Meaning they lied to protect their boss.
12
The idea of attempting to hide a ship and basically its American crew of navy personnel because of the name of John McCain shows, as if it wasn't by now an irrefutable fact that we all live with day by dismal day, that our current president is a man whose outsized ego is matched only by his huge inferiority complex. To be that threatened by a political opponent, dead now for many months, and still find ways to slight "the enemy" is proof of a personality disorder, one of many troubling traits our wannabe dictator in The White House possesses. Just when you think he can't go any lower, her does.
8
Oh please, stop. My side is aching from laughter.
2
Can not help but wonder why few will believes him. Oh I remember he opens his mouth and out pops a lie.
3
Why is it no one just can not believe everything I hear from Trump?
4
Add this lie to the thousands of other lies he has made to the public in the last several years.
Seriously.. with his lack of credibility.. who would possibly believe his statement of ignorance.
In fact.. I think if someone pointed out to Trump that his denial came off as ignorant.. he would immediately do a 180 and say.. "yes... of course I ordered this!"
3
I thought the US Navy had a credo of one for all and all for one. The so called Commander in Chief has insulted the officers and crew of a US destroyer just because it bears the name of three generations of McCains. This stupidity is an affront to the entire Navy and whose members serve and put themselves in harm's way for their country every day.
5
One for all and all for one — I thought that was the Three Musketeers.
@macbeth no. The United States Navy does not use that credo, but the Three Musketeers do.
The Navy's core values are Honor, Courage and Commitment.
2
@Mary - Have you ever met a career sailor?
Their working class solidarity supersedes the "core" values imposed by the officers.
My guess is that someone in his entourage feared a major meltdown and took preemptive action. That is just as bad — and telling — as if Trump himself had ordered it done.
Shameful, hateful, juvenile, pathological, disgusting, unpresidential....have I missed anything?
6
Trump today: “I didn’t know about it, ok? But btw...I never liked John McCain, I was never a fan....” Sure...he didn’t know about it....
Trump is a vile human,unfit for any office. I cannot wait until he is gone.
13
Does the fool in chief understand that John Bolton encouraged the invasion of Iraq - the same John Bolton who is encouraging Trump to start a war with Iran? The man's ignorance and pettiness know no bounds. He's a disgrace to the country.
12
I can but wonder if any of his supporters or those who claim the deep shame of having voted for this trail of waste and decomposition, have allowed this last travesty to penetrate even the thickest of skulls. Whosoever yet has the umbrage and lack of self honesty to continue to applaud this foul fraud of a man, are nothing more than traitors to the country they obviously loathe more than any Russian KGB apparatchik could hope to.
What disease is this that has festered and devoured our every moral compass and permitted this malignancy on the Republic to consume the entire edifice of our collective honors as a nation.
This infirm, aberration of a man, has run roughshod on every tenet of our Constitution, which one can understand coming from a mentally deranged narcissistic sociopath.
It is his enablers, those men and women sitting in the people’s congress who will have nowhere in their legacies to hide the foul stench of their betrayals to the nation in securing their own wanton lust for power.
May they all get what they deserve for being what they are, America’s enemies.
9
This is so wrong on so many levels. The Secretary of Defense should be brought in front of Congress to explain who ordered what and why.
19
No one will be held responsible. We are now at a point in this nation where officials on every level can merely say "No" with the certainty there is no mechanism to hold them accountable.
Someone felt comfortable enough to turn away uniformed navy personnel-forbidding them to come aboard another ship. Someone felt comfortable enough to tell those in command to give almost 300 service personnel the day off and someone felt comfortable enough to comply:
Has anyone heard Sarah Huckabee Sander's version of events; has anyone consulted with Kellyanne Conway or Steven Miller or...or...or...
9
Donald Trump hosted the wrong reality TV show. It should have been "Are You More Mature Than a 5th Grader"? In the President's case, the answer would be no.
18
The NYT needs to start fact-checking itself. Why write that Trump was making "a reference to the late senator’s critical vote against the president’s health care proposal in July 2017," when there was in fact no such proposal? McCain voted against repealing the ACA at a time when no specific proposal to replace it had been made. (In fact, that's still true; no specific proposal to replace it has been made.) Trump keeps saying that the Republicans have an alternative, but won't tell us what that alternative is. This article, as written, gives aid and comfort to that pretense.
25
Purely and pathetically childish. As a few others have asked, when are the people of decency and strong moral fiber within our government going to stand up and say something in opposition to the words and behavior of this so-called president?!
10
We need to know who these "White House officials" are, and whether they are more loyal to the American people, or to their careers and their boss. More work for Congress--even thoughRepublican functionaries and propagandists are still claiming that they're not doing their jobs.
5
A colleague of mine, whose son served on the USS John McCain, relayed to me that they have christened on board a different vessel in Trump's honor. It stands upright, and men stand in front of it, and it collects rather than holds out liquid. It is inscribed "USS Rub-A-Dub Trump".
It's nice to see that our men in uniform are able to put this whole affair into its proper perspective.
14
All should read Eliot Cohen's startling article in The Atlantic decrying the moral rot that Trump has unleashed even in the U.S. Navy over this reprehensible event involving the USS John McCain.
10
Only self-serving draft dodgers (as distinct from principled draft-refusers who appropriately paid a price), such as Bush Jr. and Trump would pettily dishonor the military by using it as a political prop, the former with his "Mission Accomplished" flight onto an aircraft carrier and Trump trying to hide the ship (and crew apparently) of the ship, the John McCain.
None of this surprises me. What does surprise me, sadly, is that the Republican Party, formerly staunch defenders of the military, cower before the tweeted wimpiness of the Entertainer-In-Chief, even those Republicans who have served honorably in our military. I'd call them all chicken, but I have more respect for the birds than to make that analogy.
19
How about Bill Clinton?
@Working Stiff
How did Clinton utilize the military as a political prop the way Bush Jr. and Trump did?
7
Bill Clinton presided over the biggest economic boom in history, ending up with a budget surplus. He should be a GOP hero, as those two items are the only two they claim to care about. The fact that GOP apologists consider a mention of Clinton a de rigeur applause line shows how hidebound by the past they are land how intellectually, morally, and politically bankrupt they continue to be. Thanks for sharing.
5
Whether he knew about the ship or not - the climate of fear and unimaginable loyalty is sickening.
We just keep writing the same comments - - but wait - - beginning December 2020 the tell-alls and guilt-ridden protectors will speak.
And - he's going to show his true colors when he starts talking about what he really thinks of all these people who have catered to him.
3
Yes, and he was unaware of Russia's intervention in the election on his personal behalf. Tell us another!
14
President Trump may or may not have ordered that a Navy destroyer, the U.S.S. McCain, be draped or hidden from view while Mr. Trump was visiting in Japan.
It doesn’t matter. We know from the testimony of several witnesses on other issues that Donald Trump imposes his will on subordinates like a crime boss.
To avoid accountability, Trump usually avoids asking that anything specific be done, communicating by simply juxtaposing a topic related to his concern with a subsequent question and comment later in the conversation, “So, we’re all set? You can handle everything as you see fit.”
305
Michael Cohen confirmed that Trump does just what you’re saying. He speaks in code to get his ugliness done through others.
53
@sdw - I agree completely, but the more significant problem you ignore is why the Navy command structure and all the Navy sailors went along with this corruption and celebrated Trump with those shoulder patches.
That is neo-Fascism.
47
@sdw
He is a crime boss.
11
Like he didn’t know about the secret pay offs to Stormy Daniels.
23
Someone will write the definitive *story* of Donald J. Trump; not the salacious details of his life-we already know those. The story-of-Trump must be told by tearing through the layers of dirty politicians, regulators,judges and financiers- circa 1970's, 80's, 90's New York who created Donald Trump; everyone who allowed Trump to constantly bend and break the law and escape justice.
That we now have one 72 year old semi-illiterate with the moral compass of an evaporated water droplet, who terrifies the entire globe (except for one other human-Putin); the mind simply cannot process.
The story MUST be told through those who created him-whether now deceased or alive. No one having a hand in creating this monster should be spared.
37
This president's ego is the last thing we need to protect. But it shows how such a bully can foster stupid, needless actions that can only lead to more divisiveness. They call Trump a counter puncher but he is really just a mean, angry bully with delusions of grandeur. Retaliation is Trumps primary theme and he uses it on the likes of Obama, McCain and so many others and only because he is not a man. He cannot tell a criticism from an insult neither of which justify his vindictiveness.
14
Trump claiming he "didn't know" is like Putin saying he didn't know his oligarch friends interfered with the 2016 election.
17
"I didn't know" is the tragic, sorry excuse that got him into office. He "knows" when he doesn't know, and "doesn't know" when he knows. Classic Trump double speak. Classic charlatan propaganda. It works for him, it works for Mitch McConnell and his venal assault on the Republic, but it doesn't work for us. This man is an effrontery to integrity, and basic human decency. It's just downright offensive that he hold's public office, let alone the highest seat in our nation. What a terrible excuse for a human being he is.
23
With Trump in the White House, when I travel abroad to almost any country that is our ally, I feel the need to let people know I do not stand with, and am fully opposed to, the current president of my country. He is a devastating embarrassment and debased individual.
What has America become?
27
@Scientist why? This is very strange to me. We have 327 million people in the us. US Administrations come and go, why do you personally feel the need to let people know that you don't stand with the current president?
1
@Scientist
I feel the same way-last trip to England, when we were asked if we were Canadian or American, we admitted that we were US citizens, but did not vote for the fraud in the WH.......every single person expressed relief, and then opened up about how terrified they felt because we as a country had lost our way......and their country somehow seemed more vulnerable through the US's abdication of world leadership.....truly a shame.
1
@Mary
How else could "Scientist" communicate is moral superiority, virtue signalling and American exceptionalism all in one blow?
The president isn't ethically and morally fit enough to say the name McCain.
29
What do you think Lindsey? Anything to say in defense of your “friend” John McCain?
54
Trump is a world-class liar so he absolutely knew there were efforts to move the USS John S. McCain while he was in Japan.
No matter what Trump says, never believe him and take it for granted that he's lying.
15
Of course DT denys it. Would anyone expect him to admit it?
10
Some of these folks who wanted to hide McCain ship were “good people”
16
The right wing used to ridicule the idea of trigger warnings.
11
Such a small man.
His supporters should be embarrassed.
24
Trump and all the Repubs that support (and twist themselves into human pretzels trying to defend and justify him) are a collective, shameful, sham.
12
The Democrats need to start impeachment proceedings. The President is now politicizing the military which is his last task to gain full control of the Gov't. By the time Democrats get around to impeaching, it will be too late. You can also bet that there will be no election before he enforces martial law on a fake tragedy.
7
Trump acts like he's in high school. :/
I don't think we've ever had a more immature and narcissistic potus who behaves so childishly as Trump.
Something is wrong with his brain and emotional IQ. He can't be well, he shows very little empathy for others like the McCain family.
Trump doesn't behave presidential or like a grown man. He always acts like some spoiled cry baby victim. His parents raised an insecure bully who indulges himself in petty fights over petty things with people who won't kowtow to him.
13
Once again. Liar liar pants on fire. Trumps behind must be very sore.
4
To paraphrase a line addressed to an earlier demagogue, "at long last, sir, it is apparent that you have no bottom to your lack of decency barrel".
7
I volunteered and served four years in the U.S. Navy, 1968 to 1972. I would never have believed that a Vietnam War hero would be dishonored to avoid offending the lowest-of-the-bottom-feeders: a rich-boy draft dodger whose rich daddy bought him an excuse.
52
President Obama would never have considered doing such a thing, nor would Hillary Clinton if she had been elected. Their politics didn't agree, but both respect McCain's service and patriotism. I think that's called being presidential. Or normal.
20
Don't believe he didn't know. Really do need an adult in the Oval office that doesn't get guidance from Fox News.
8
judging from the vociferous certainty of Trump's denial, he knew and planned it.
15
I can only speak of my personal experience as a senior officer. I have had many questionable directives in my career. I have questioned back, and after several iterations have acquiesced to some, refused others.
But this is a no-brainer. I would never have insisted a subordinate, never personally have carried out, an order like this. It is madness. It is something a Praetorian would have got from one of Caligula’s hangers-on.
There is a problem with the Navy that this obscenity got as far as it did.
35
What makes anyone think Trump didn't order this? He would of course lie if he did. You couldn't take his word on the names of his kids.
11
And as usual Linsday Graham says nothing. With friends like him, who needs an enemy.
13
Good grief, John McCain, if he knows, must be sadly disappointed with his ‘friend’. What a self serving back stabbed.
7
I wouldn't name a garbage scow after Donald Trump. Not worthy to sail under the same flag as John McCain.
16
All of these comments from Democratic politicians end up being rather meaningless. The reporters would have done better to try to interview Republicans, as well. The real story is there, I feel. If they back Trump on this, or if they refuse to comment, now that would speak volumes. As it is, all the indignation, feigned or real, from Dem pols just feeds the politicization of the situation. And that feeds Trump's narrative. The presence or lack of bipartisan indignation should be the story.
10
@Gregory Friedman
Do Republicans ever speak out when Trump causes an outrage? Ever? Not even Lindsey Graham defends his late friend Sen. McCain or the military.
The silence of Republicans on all lies and insults by Trump speaks volumes.
18
This is a great point.
2
Of course he knew. The WH requested this to protect his delicate, fragile ego. But I'm not surprised. This is par for the course with Trump and his supporters. How many more demonstrations of his ego, his pettiness, his hatefulness must we endure? Dictators and despots behave this way. Republicans of the House and Senate, and good, honorable citizen Republicans, is this now finally enough for you? Will you stand up, speak up, and tell truth to power? Or will you applaud him, cheer him on, remain silent, and vote for him in 2020?
11
In trump and Liinday Graham's world, if you can trash John McCain then you must be a well meaning American.
7
All class.
3
McCain deserves the same respect as any veteran who serves his country but I too have never quite understood the aura around McCain. The idea that someone graduating 5th from the bottom if his class would make a good presidential candidate is difficult to understand. This said, however, Trump’s comments may have some merit but those comments would have been best unsaid.
2
And what do you call someone Fifth from the bottom ???
SIR.
Seriously.
17
Then why is little Donnie so afraid of the dead man who finished at the bottom of his class? Maybe those bone spurs are coming back.
11
The phrase ‘character matters’ comes to mind when reading your rather absurd comment. McCain was everything President Trump is not. McCain refused to leave his Hanoi prison until all other US POWs were freed. Trump avoided military service during the Vietnam War by claiming a bone spur.
I once saw McCain while he was still a high ranking naval officer as he strode across a large ballroom at an industry convention in uniform. It was a sight I’ll never forget.
14
Just another Trump lie among the thousands of lies he's told in 2-1/2 years? Somebody had to give that directive from the top.
14
This is all a dark comedy of the worst kind. Every week it is something new. The last two years have been so psychologically taxing that nothing surprises me any more. Yet somehow every day there are new lows that even a year ago would be incomprehensible.
15
Everyone who picked up American flags and wave them under this so called president- you call this patriotic behavior? Never spent day one in service, Shame on him and anyone who stands beside him.
9
No one believes anything he says anyway, but think about the utter insanity of this being commanded, of being necessary, whether Trump demanded it or not, by people under his command. This is right out of Captain Queeg strawberries obsession in The Caine Mutiny. Impeach now, Article 25 now.
8
Aided by 'plausible denial'?
2
Why is this amoral, petty idiot still in the White House? Do the Republicans in Congress have no shame? My late uncle volunteered for WWI, my father for Korea, and I signed up for the 82nd Airborne. I am deeply offended by this insolent liar calling himself Commander in Chief. Enough, already. Enough.
32
Every American sailor, every American serving our country, every veteran, every family member of military personnel, every friend of a soldier, every free citizen of this country: this should be your deal breaker! Oh wait, that's 99% of the country!
Trump's big scandals may make him undeserving of the country's highest office; however, his small-minded antics make him unworthy.
12
Donny the Draft Dodger is certainly a pathetic piece of work.
He’s just ticked off because he knows he’ll never get a ship named after him.
11
Trump didn't know about the payoff for the adult movie star; he didn't know about the meeting in Trump tower with the Russians; he didn't know about covering McCain's name on the Navy destroyer.
For someone who is supposed to be so smart and "in control," he better start paying attention or the American people may start to question his intelligence or suggest that he may have a low I.Q. Either that, or he is experiencing the early signs of dementia.
17
I'll go along with his saying he didn't know and that his staff did this request out of dedication to a raving narcissist.
But whoever is responsible for the following should not be serving in our government - in any role: "Sailors assigned to the McCain also were not invited to attend the president’s speech on the assault ship Wasp, while all of the other American war ships at the harbor were invited to send 60 to 70 sailors. When some McCain sailors arrived at Mr. Trump’s speech in their uniforms, they were turned away."
If I were Meghan McCain, I'd feel proud that her father can still irk the right people even after he passed away.
13
I guess even Uncle Lindsey has stopped stepping up for his deceased best friend. With friends like Lindsey Graham, who needs a cold, manipulative quisling?
12
There was nothing "well meaning" in any attempt by the Navy to hide a ship bearing McCain's name to assuage Trump. The Chief of Naval Operations needs to find out who was behind this -- and crack the whip. Along with the other things he is seeking to destroy, Trump -- a cynical draft dodger himself -- is seeking to politicize our highly respected military. This cannot stand, Annapolis and West Point.
9
I have to wonder if Fox News is reporting this story. Yes, I realize I could turn on Fox News and find out, but then I would have to ... turn on Fox News and that is a step I am unwilling to take. No matter, I'm sure their propaganda machine will come up with a rationale their viewership will find palatable.
16
Me too. Just can't do it.
4
@Jennene Colky
I did it. I survived one minute on the Fox "News" website. It's mostly Mueller bashing. Shepard Smith is the only one who even mentions that it happened at all. Jussie Smollett is still headlining.
2
I know its not the point here, but I wish Ms. McCain would put a sock in it.
I cannot muster sympathy for a bigoted, hard-hearted, doctrinaire ideologue, one who betrays many of the principals by which her father lived his political life.
What Trump says is bad enough, the model of a human that is Ms. McCain is a disgrace.
2
@oogada
Agreed. It is hard to have empathy for Meghan McCain when she plays victim all the while cozying up to the very people that betray her father. This includes her husband. She needs to put up or shut up. I guess it makes for good ratings regarding her career, though.
2
Oh, sure. Trump had no idea that HIS White House didn’t try and block the McCain warship. The POTUS will go down as the greatest liar of all time.
7
And I like people who aren’t cowards who had their rich daddies pay shady doctors to make up medical conditions to avoid serving our country honorably.
9
Of course he knew because he ordered it. Would anyone on his staff except for possibly the Secretary of the Navy have the authority to order this action? I don't think so. He's the commander-in-chief, the order came from him. As usual he's lying,
I'm hoping that this outrageous and deeply unpatriotic act will be enough to convince someone in the White House to finally become the whistle blower the country so desperately needs and release the documentary evidence of this despicable act.
6
You had me all the way up to "Trump Says...."
3
This has to be brought to every American's attention, especially this part: Sailors from the McCain who showed up anyway, with the ship’s name on their uniforms or caps, were turned away.
10
We have know reason to doubt anything Trump says...do we?
4
Trump is a serial and compulsive liar. If he says he didn't know his staff sent those boneheaded orders about the ship, that's all the proof I need that these were his orders and he's just throwing his staff under the bus.
4
Anything, and I do mean ANYTHING, that this known pathological liar called Trump says, is suspect and to be ignored.
And what the White House requested regarding this naval vessel during Trump’s campaign stop in Tokyo, is a DISGRACE.
It should also be enough to torpedo the confirmation of Trump lackey Shanahan.
3
In normal times, when sanity was respected in congress and patriotism was to the nation and not the party, this incident alone would have been sufficient to boot Trump and his menagerie out of the People's House.
But in normal times he wouldn't be president to begin with.
20
Sure he did, he has done nothing else but try to erase anything Obama did, he's an egomaniac, of course the dictator in training would want to get rid of anything John McCain. I believe Trump dreams about a civil war and him taking over and becoming the supreme leader. I also believe Trump or Barr said something to Mueller, he almost looked like he was crying when he spoke. Someone impeach Barr first then the IRS guy , deal with them first and then impeach trump. Anyone who gets in the way like McConnell and Graham/Nunes should be charged with obstruction of justice. Don't wimp out on this House.
4
On the one hand: a bully. On the other: a snowflake. No wonder he seems so unbalanced.
15
It's interesting how Mr. Trump's peeves go beyond the grave. It's too bad the navy felt good about siding with him.
8
Well...whatever ya think..60 mil gave him their vote...so... they gave him the Codes and the power..to order troops and sailors into battle...into harms way and the deadly consequences...for America. but especially for him too. Yes, they gave him the Codes and they gave him the power, and now... they're pleased as punch..they sleep sound amd deep in the sleep of the just.--- Heart of America.
3
How can anyone still believe this president?
10
Who would believe a word he says.
10
There was a time in this country that just the idea of doing something like this would have been unthinkable. And where's the public outrage? A group of people just insulted a war hero and the sailors who crew a ship named after him. Are there no consequences for this? It appears the "honor and respect" given our military, by the public, is simply a thin veneer useful only for creating another holiday. Stay tuned to see how low we can go.
17
@Steve
Ask where the republican senators are? Or they busy lining there pockets no matter what?
5
Trump is an obvious freak. But Senator John McCain voted with Trump supported legislation 83% of the time. And he supported almost all of his judicial nominations.
So whatever. He knew what he was supporting with his votes.
I don't feel bad for the late senator. I feel bad for the rest of us.
10
He didn't know anything about it ... the same way he knew nothing about payoffs to Stormy Daniels.
The same way he knew nothing about the Trump Tower meeting with Russians.
The same way he knew nothing about how hard healthcare was.
He knew. He ordered it.
11
Despicable, low life New York swindler Trump is. I am nauseous.
8
Trump's insane jealousy of McCain; the epitome of the type of man that he can never, ever be; is pitifully sad.
7
Why would anyone believe that Trump didn't know anything about this? We all know he lies about everything.
He said "...I would never have done that.” Right. Just like he would never insult a Gold Star family, never insult McCain.
He's a pathetic, little man.
5
Why would anyone believe the Petulant Child, Pathological Liar about anything?
And why does the press continue to cover this garbage.
I propose a 30 day ban on covering Trump.
6
Sorry, but I would bet that the order came straight from the horse's mouth. Shameful!
6
Disgraceful, un-patriotic and utterly reprehensible. This deplorable man and his administration makes me disgusted every day. His fragile and narcissistic ego belong nowhere leading our country. He and his deplorable family all need to move away, preferably to Russia where they all belong.
Senator John McCain served his country heroically and stoically. There is no question of his love for America and all Americans. The disrespect showed to our Navy is a revolting.
8
When you lie all the time who will believe you when you tell the truth.
6
Has ANY Republican spoken up in criticism of this heinous, immature, and completely insane, filthy gesture?
There is not a patriot among them. For shame, you scoundrels!
7
Sure, Liar in Chief. When you lie about literally everything, do you honestly expect anyone to believe anything you say about anything?
5
..and, of course, we believe The Don because everything he says is true.
2
We need to remember John McCain was disliked by many Presidents. The other Presidents knew enough to keep it behind closed doors.
1
@Julia Lol, how would we know they disliked him if they talked about him behind closed doors?
3
Of all of his many failings, this one alone is a blatant lie and indicated that he is not fit to our Commander in Chief as he is mentally unfit to lead and does not conduct himself with sufficient self-discipline and maturity to lead our armed forces. He is unfit for command and he should be removed from commend just any Captain or Admiral would be for similarly disruptive and demoralizing conduct unbecoming an officer. He deserves to be impeached and should be impeached.
4
@American Akita Team,
Your suggestion should be the House's #1 bullet item of the creature's over 10,000 high crimes and misdemeanors.
Sen. McCain the war hawk, responsible for thousands of deaths around the world.
I wish McCain was alive -- only because I could then say what I really think of him -- since I do not wish to speak ill of the dead.
Obviously, Trump doesn't share that belief and speaks the truth.
1
Everyone involved in this despicable act, must be put in jail & the key thrown away. Our commander in chief dishonors war veterans. This is an insult to not only to Sen. McCain but to countless men & women who gave their lives for this country as well.
Yeah, right, he did not know about the incident. Nobody in the right mind would believe him . The guy is a pathological liar. Sad his supporters do not care! What a country!
1
If the US Navy named a ship after Trump, it would have to be called "USS Draft Dodger".
12
I think the US Navy should name a series of ships after Trump, paint them orange, and then use them for strafing and bombing runs.
8
The armed farces are following the leadership of lakaitel pompeo and the time of the servile officers who put trump above country has arrived
Trump absolutely knew about this yea ordered it on the sly. This illustrates how utterly depraved and low class he is - to attack McCain's good name, a war hero, posthumously. When he, coward to the core, lied about bone spurs to avoid enlisting.
4
@Independent The Navy should take one of those old boats-like the one John Kerry commended-and rename it the U.S.S Bone Spurs. It will be converted to a prison ship (?) where Trump will serve his second four year in this leaky vessel that will also be home to some fairly mean rats so he'll feel at home.
Gosh, that's harsh but only something that melodramatic seems to fit his crimes.
5
One day they'll name a boat after Trump...the kind the Navy uses for target practice.
5
Trump mocks those that have served and died in the military. The VFW and veterans organizations still stand by him:
1. The " Helsinki Capitulation" when he sided with Putin instead of all 17 U.S. Intelligence agencies.
2. Pardons for war criminals.
3. Mocking John McCain even in death.
What next....a manufactured war with Iran which will kill service members and civilians for no reason except to divert the press.
9
This is my moment. At long last, I have had enough. That an effort was made to cover the name of the destroyer; that soldiers with the McCain insignia were turned away from hearing their president is the stuff of dictators. Of hatefulness. Where are the admirals demanding to know who acquiesced? Who was in charge in the Trump campaign? Where are the men and women of decency and honor standing up for whatever this great country once represented? Pelosi and Schumer are silent, plotting their little plots in the name of strategy, Fox continues to blast their newspeak propaganda, and New York Times readers wring their hands and post their displeasure. And nothing substantive happens. Our lone hero is Justin Amash - a Republican. How appropriate this latest outrage happened on a destroyer: America is at sea. Literally. Adrift.
797
@Bill Prange
"Pelosi and Schumer are silent, plotting their little plots in the name of strategy"
Maybe you haven't been paying attention?
74
@Bill Prange
Yes, this NYT reader wrings my hands and posts my displeasure and disgust over what Trump has wrought. At this point I mostly feel hopeless that civility and honor will ever be restored in the GOP as it is personified by Trump.
77
@Bill Prange
A lone hero? How about the 40 House Dems (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-house-probably-has-a-pro-impeachment-majority-right-now/) publicly calling for initiating the impeachment process, or Senator Warren.
91
So fire whoever DID order it!
11
How sad and strange the staff of this president feel the need to hide anything that holds the name of John McCain to "protect the president's ego." And that sailors who wore the uniforms with their ship's name were turned away from the speech of their Commander and Chief.
Another sign of his malignant narcissism and how those around him must fear him as if he were Kim Jong Un.
516
@Diane L.
Indeed. Is there any difference at all between Trump and Kim besides the color of their skin? Yes, Kim seems a bit smarter. Clearly Trump would like nothing more than to rule like a brutal North Korean despot over this benighted and divided land.
41
@Diane L.
Kind of takes "boot licking" to a whole new level, doesn't it?
45
@Diane L.
" those around him must fear him as if he were Kim Jong Un" captures it very nicely - just as Trump has captured the entire GOP Senate.
12
As a proud Navy Veteran I can tell you this story is heart breaking. Whether it be the bone spurred Commander of Comedy or, even worse, someone of rank in the US Navy that let this happen, they should be keelhauled or at best broken in rank. Is this what we have become?
18
The author of this article must be confused, but don't worry Sean Hannity will explain all of the Navy regulations about the display of ship and unit names for us. In addition to Sean weighing in, I would be surprised if there weren't other administration officials who may have taken a tour on the USS Intrepid and can lend their expertise to this controversy.
3
Even if he didn’t know in advance, his “well meaning” minions were merely reflecting his irrational hatred of Senator McCain.
10
Any more questions about DJT's sanity when he continues ad nauseum to pick a fight with a deceased war hero AND living, dedicated sailors serving on the destroyer named after the war hero? Congress, for the country's sake, please invoke the 25th Amendment and immediately remove him from office. He is unfit to serve. Period.
552
@KB Just for the record, I think the ship is named for Mccain’s dad, who was a carrier sailor in WW2 and rose to command the Pacific Fleet during the 60s.
13
@Lefthalfbach. Yes, and his grandfather, both war heroes.
15
@KB The USS John S. McCain was named in 2002 for all three of the McCain men who served honorably in the U.S. Navy. Among them, only the late Senator McCain was present with his family.
42
He says he wasn't involved with McCain's ship. Shouldn't we take him at his word? He's our President.
I no longer believe anything this man says.
11
He is a great embarrassment to the U.S. (at least to those who expect better from our president than this narcissist).
5
Good one! Very funny.
7
Donald Trump: "I don't do coverups."
All evidence: Um, yes you do....
20
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Trump is lying. Why does anybody waste their time asking him questions? He'll end up contradicting himself tomorrow.
19
Well, there is such massive precedent for his lying that pretty-much everything that comes out of his mouth is suspect.
4
Nothing new under the sun.
Lived the first 17 years of my life under a military dictatorship in Nigeria, this is the dictator’s MO even down the denial.
If we are honest, the Republic is now only one in name.
We have a an elected autocrat in the White House who though highly unintelligent enough to have seized power from the people, sadly was ushered in by less than a half of half of eligible voters in this country.
9
It doesn't matter if he knew about this particular incident. It's obvious his staff knows his wishes.
A draft dodger covered the name of the USS John S. McCain on Memorial Day and refused to allow sailors from it to attend his speech. How mentally disturbed does one have to be to do something like this?
790
Irrevocably, profoundly, and unforgivably.
49
@apparatchick
He is deeply mentally disturbed. But (most of) the GOP, his appointees, his advisors, his acting administrators and his base voters are all making his outrageous, destructive possible. And he makes their efforts to reduce health care, reproductive rights, voting rights, etc. possible. To say this disturbed moron is responsible for where America is now is like saying Hitler caused WWII.
If you impeach him, Pence is worse & the GOP will still work to destroy our rights.
my opinion: vote him & those destructive (to our constitution) GOP congressmen/senators out of office.
15
@apparatchick "I wasn't involved". He doesn't have to be. His minions know what he wants and feel free to take action(s) in pursuit of those desired ends. As the historian Ian Kershaw has written, from 1933 all the way until "The End" in 1945, this paradigm was called "working towards the Fuhrer."
9
Such a petty, shallow, frightened little coward we have as President.
22
I guess Trump tried creating a "safe space" by "hiding" the U.S.S. McCain. What a pathetic, insecure little man.
Hopefully the U.S. Navy will never name a ship after him. He need not worry though. I'm sure the Russian Navy will be happy to put his name on a ship.
431
@Cliff "Happy"? Trump will pay for it.
11
@Cliff This is about as brilliant a comment--both in its substance and its terseness--as I have seen on this website. And this event is about as base as I have heard of in trump's bizarre and incompetent tenure in office.
19
@Cliff I have an idea. Since Trump is jealous that McCain has a ship named after him, how about we do the same for Trump? Let's find some filthy, rusty, stinking, toxic waste laden garbage scow and name it the USS Donald Trump? Seems fitting.
33
The fact that those around trump find it necessary to spend time and resources to protect his fragile ego says all we need to know about this pathetic administration.
17
Can you believed the denial of someone who as been proven to cheat at golf?
16
I have no words, just serious nausea. This presidency makes me physically ill.
12
"This country couldn't possibly sink any lower into depraved pettiness and abject humiliation."
TrumpCo: "Hold my beer."
17
This is Trump's idea of a joke ... and, you can be sure they're laughing it up. That's how debased this man and his followers are ...
7
See the editorial below by Michelle Cottle. There better be No 2020 for the current occupant.
2
Every word out of his mouth is a lie. I'm sure his denial of this is just another lie. It's time for the media to start referring to his untruths for what they are. Lies.
10
When will you democrats get it! Donald Trump is spelled and spoken with the words the Republican Party. Trump is not an exception to them he is them.
5
He also didn't know anything about the Stormy Daniels payments... For such a High IQ individual, I'd say his memory regarding embarrassing transgressions is unreliable, or, he's a liar.
9
We have an insane man occupying the presidency who now subjects our Navy to the manipulations of a third world dictator. SHAME on republicans still making excuses for a man who praises men like Kim Jung Un and Putin. They should name a Ship “ Bone Spurs “ for Trump ...McCain was a hero.
9
To me, the most telling part of this self-humiliation by King Donald the Dreadful was that sailors from all the ships were invited except those from the McCain; and when some of the McCain’s crew showed up they were turned away!
It’s hard to imagine anyone being so small-minded, though his staff certainly knows that he is or they wouldn’t have gone to these lengths to curry his favor.
Maybe Trump’s DNA should be tested. He seems to be short several chromosomes.
He’s a disgrace.
11
So why on earth would anyone believe he did or didnt know about this???
3
Ah, another day in the life of a stable genius.....
6
Another day, another 20 lies.
7
How do you know Trump is lying? His lips are moving.
10
@KYSER SOZE Actually, arms crossed signifies a whopper.
6
This man will go down in history as the most reviled American President.
His legal problems after being shown the door will also be of historic proportions.
The Republican party due to their complete servile conduct, their covering up for him, will become a minority party for a generation.
The putrid swamp stench in both the White House and Capitol Hill will need serious cleansing, perhaps special rituals will need to be performed.
Please Lord make these days go quickly, and spare us from madness and war.
11
@jarna Bigly.
I do not know what is more pathetic. Seeing our malignant narcissist leader obsession with a dead war criminal, or seeing our center right (aka Democrats) praising such criminal.
1
Oh how I wish we could hide the U.S.S. Donald J. Trump.
9
Who believes a work that comes out of his mouth? Disgraceful.....
5
Another day. Another cut.
1
Mr. Trump remains a draft-dodger and resents any military member, male or female, dead or alive, who gets recognized by the American people. Trump is disgusting. He is an insult to the American people.
8
My thoughts go right to the abhorrent, petty display when Trump brought the flags at the white house back to full mast before Senator McCain was brought too final rest in Washington. Trump is a petty, conniving, lying, grifter that has shamed and embarrassed this country.
9
I guess that makes him the chief "petty" officer.
10
Good one.
Where is Lindsey Graham now that John McCain needs him?
5
@A. Stanton Lindsey is too busy licking Trump's boots right now.
2
It speaks volumes that the Republicans don’t denounce this behavior and speak up in support of their late colleague—CRAVEN!
7
With a special shout-out to his fair-weather friend Lindsey!
6
Whenever I read the statement "Trump says..." I know what comes next is either a deception or a distraction or some foul combination of both.
This Republican President is completely and absolutely devoid of any modicum of honor or valor.
One term.
8
The correct response would have been to find the culprit & fire them. Of course you can’t fire yourself, especially if you’re the liar in charge.
10
The most despicable part of this whole deplorable episode is this:
“Sailors assigned to the McCain also were not invited to attend the president’s speech on the assault ship Wasp, while all of the other American war ships at the harbor were invited to send 60 to 70 sailors. When some McCain sailors arrived at Mr. Trump’s speech in their uniforms, they were turned away.”
24
When Trump said he knew nothing about the USS McCain, why would any sane person believe him?
21
@Richard Haswell
Only and idiot would - or a Republican politician.
Sorry, redundant.
11
Anyone who cares about any of this disrespect and petty behavior has only one option:
VOTE. Vote for every Democrat and against every single Republican next year.
If someone at THIS point still identifies as a Republican, they are part of the problem.
21
Trump says he didn't know.
However, he has an astonishing record for telling lies.
11
It is surprising that an individual can impact the well-established, tightly-knit, and self-regulated democratic institutions in the States. When Trump was elected, everybody estimated his impact on them would be limited. The truth may be so despite voisterous noise marketing of Trump. However, it has reached a worrisome level that the military are being involved, not to say the politicization of the intel community and law enforcement.
10
It's not just one individual the U.S. is dealing here but also his complicit cabal of servile enablers and lackeys. That compounds the problem gazillion times!
2
President Harry S. Truman had a sign on his office desk that read "The Buck Stops Here." What he meant was the whatever happened in his administration and particularly mistakes were ultimately the President's responsibility. If there is a sign on Trump's desk, I'm sure it reads."I didn't do it, someone else is at fault, It never really happened, it's all lies."
20
In evaluating the veracity of Trump's claim about the USS John McCain, keep in mind he has a long history of false statements and claims. One of my favorites is "No obstruction, no collusion."
11
Maybe our current president wasn't involved in the McCain Destroyer silliness. But what is sad is that it is even a news item. It is a news item because we don't know whether he is lying or telling the truth even on this little thing.
6
''I know it was attributed somehow to some ingenious advance man from my staff. They weren't that ingenious, by the way.''
Is there an echo in the room?
1
Trump's new bestseller: "The Art of Implausible Deniability." With which he will also ride out his present term, despite the documented collusion and obstruction. Same as the infantile pettiness toward Senator McCain.
4
When it comes to pure Orwellian double speak it is hard to beat the trumpster fire himself. McCain actually saved the current health program, while the other one sought to kill it over and over again.
This is not normal. This is not safe. This is the conduct of a ''un-well'' human being.
The sooner he is fired the better off we will be.
14
If Obama had done this, or had it done for him, the Republicans would have called for his impeachment, and Trump's supporters know it, though would never admit it.
14
@Canadian RoyThey attacked Obama for not having an American Flag in his Lapel. Called him unpatriotic and accused him of worse.
8
What a grievous insult to those serving on the U.S.S. McCain that they were turned away from the event for wearing their uniforms. Those who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice should not be treated this way.
11
Of course Trump knew. It's such a classic Trump kind of thing to do and I'm sure it'll soon be forgotten as focus shifts to his next outrageous statement or act.
8
The next so-important story on these now-hallowed pages will be how Trump denies instructing staff not to let his motorcade drive down any roads that are named McCain or that cross a street named McCain. Or McCane. Then teh inside scoop will be how he'll refuse to drive through McLean VA just because it sounds like...
Eventually it will take such a hold that these sources claim he intends to tariff McDonald's until they change their name to the Scottish "MacDonalds". The Get Trump press will deliver yet another source that claims he justifies it because the burger joint's jewel in the crown is The Big Mac and the chain should reflect that in its brand. Eventually it'll be just the Irish "Mc" anywhere.
What was it the guy said to Joseph McCarthy(oops!), something about at long last having no decency?
2
@Illuminati Reptilian Overlord #14 Whatever point this mess of an essay is trying to impart, IRO#14, is not worth the time spent trying to decipher it.
1
Why if Trump says it's so, then that's good enough for me. Everyone knows he is a man of his word and they don't call him "Honest Don" for nothing.
5
In any other reality, this would have been news. Someone would be held accountable, apology issued, honor and dignity maintained.
But this is the reality we live in today. "It's a lie, I didn't do it, but I'm okay with it." - commander in chief
2
Why is Trump's denial being reported. How many lies does it take before reporters stop repeating the lies?
10
Simply put, a Commander in Chief, who is a disgrace to the men and women wearing the US Military uniform for this outrageous behavior against the crew of the USS John McCain currently deployed in Japan, no matter who is at fault for this error. The buck used to stop at the President’s desk. Rest In Peace, John McCain.
6
I have to give Trump credit. Every time I think that he couldn’t possibly be more petty and vindictive, he proves me wrong.
22
I was a destroyer officer doing gunfire support and rescue operations for downed pilots in the Tonkin Gulf in 1967. McCain had been shot down by then, but he and the other imprisoned pilots were an inspiration to all of us on land and sea in Vietnam. All Americans should reject Trump for his continued need to express his disdain for a true American hero. He has failed the most basic test of of what it is to be an American, let alone President.
19
Trump is lying. He is saying the move was "well-meaning" to wink at the person he told to do this, so they can laugh about it on Air Force One.
8
Either he knew about it or his minders treated him like the baby he is and acted to avert a tantrum. It must be exhausting to be a Trump minder.
4
What more do his supporters need to see that this man has something terribly wrong with him? How can anyone possibly continue to condone this behavior? I'm simply at a loss as to understand why.
10
This pretty much defines "shameful".
8
The sailors assigned to the McCain were not invited to the speech because the name of their ship is on their hats? Those who wanted to attend were turned away. Seriously? Are we back in grade school? I guess when the president acts like a 6 year old, that's what his staff does.....
12
what small hands the president has. there is no bottom to how low he will go. maybe a Navy diver can help.
Navy needs conduct internal investigation given that sailors turned away from POTUS visit because their ship ID on their uniforms. did White House arrange/know this? can't believe officers-in-charge would stand for it. so HOW - not just WHY - did that happen. the HOW will be enlightening.
4
No decent Commander in Chief would have denigrated the memories of John McCain. And likewise, no decent leader would allow this travesty of hiding the names of a multi- generational family of heroes and military leaders.
That this happened on a diplomatic trip is even worse.
11
You can't make this stuff up. What has happened to the US? Sad!
10
Trump did not know of the efforts to hide the eponymous destroyer USS John McCain.
He also knew nothing about the payoffs to his paramours in an attempt to silence them.
11
The quintessential king of mendacity just did it again. Deplorable.
6
It just seems unlikely that Trump didn't know about this disgrace, and approve perhaps with just his "thumbs up" you-can't-wiretap-me deal. Because can you imagine anyone other than perhaps Jared taking this on themselves? Nah. He knew.
2
Trump is the saddest excuses for a human being. Trump lies and always factually wrong. John McCain saved the health care system. Trump and his fellow gutless GOP/Republicans wanted to kill the ACA without a replacement which would have stripped health care from millions of Americans. Of course, as Trump pontificates with more lies, he promised to deliver the best and cheapest health care system in the world but you have to wait until after the 2020 election. Perhaps Mexico will pay for it as they do not seem want to pay for the wall!
7
What a child. All Trump will ever get is a life sized statue of himself made of pimento loaf displayed at a county fair somewhere.
8
Other than obfuscation, insult and skulduggery, nothing else is to be expected from a draft dodger.
6
This President lies so often that his denial of the orders to cover up Sen. McCain's name is hard to believe. But even if he is being truthful on this rare occasion it doesn't matter. The fact that his staff thought they had to lower themselves with such a disgusting act speaks volumes to the low character of this man. These staffers should be fired, but President Trump loves the loyalty they showed by protecting his tiny fragile feelings.
5
"Trump says he didn't know.."
And we should trust Trump -- why?
If he's proven anything in the past couple of years, it's that he lies incessantly.
7
This is a move which would be expected from a fascist and dictator. That others follow suit is the scary thing. Those red patches on the airman's shoulders are alarming. They appear to show fidelity to Trump, not necessarily the country.
Trump also knows his name will never appear on a warship, because he is neither a veteran nor a war hero. And we all know how much he loves to see his own name, on everything!
10
Trump's most beloved dictator fantasy is him outfitted in a general's uniform covered in medals while saluting tanks that roll down Pennsylvania Ave during a military parade. It enrages him that McCain, whom he sees as having thwarted him, was the real deal.
7
"Now, somebody did it because they thought I didn’t like him, O.K.?” Mr. Trump said Thursday. “They were well-meaning, I will say. I didn’t know anything about it. I would never have done that.”
But then the POTUS is a well documented pathological liar, so who's to say?
6
Petty. Spend some time governing instead.
4
It's not a big surprise to learn the nervous sycophants in the White House would do something so venal and petty.
What surprises me is the wearing of pro-Trump patches and denying the crew members of the USS John S. McCain access to the POTUSs audience.
Where were the petty officers and division officers tasked with enforcing the appropriate dress code? Which officer(s) chose to barr the McCains crew members attendance? All need to be held to account.
Lastly, the late senator John McCains service to our nation towers over Donald Trumps.
USN 1974-1977
10
I was appalled to read that the White House had arranged to have the name of the USS McCain covered and her crew turned away from his speech during the president’s visit to Japan this week. All in order to protect his delicate feefees. What an insult to our Navy. But what about us snowflakes living in Waikiki who practically melt at every passing of the T_____ international hotel? We’re already developing scurvy from not being able to eat oranges anymore. We must wrap every offending sign with the t-word so as not to traumatize us further, and begin i-word proceedings immediately!
Anderson O’Mealy, Waikiki
Trump should spend four years in solitary confinement and have multiple bones broken. Then he can pontificate about peoples character
10
Trump has turned this country into a Banana Republic. This is what dictators do, asking for the name of a ship to be covered while he visited Japan. This is not normal for the United State of America and, as the Navy showed, they did not obscure the McCain family’s name.
Trump dis, however, disinvite the crew. Impeach him now.
7
Nothing happens without trump's knowledge. The pathological liar expects us to believe him. Well, some will.
6
How do you know Trump is lying?
If his mouth is moving.
4
Pretty clear Nadler should be outraged and needs to add this to his DNC Politburo bill of particulars for hating Trump even more.
2
I want to know what Senator Lindsey Graham thinks about this. I checked his Twitter feed - not a word on this topic. His silence is shameful and disheartening.
8
When the emperor has no clothes, his minions go to incredible lengths to make sure he never sees that he's naked.
4
What do you think the USS Donald Trump would look like?
I'm sure that Trump knew about the USS McCain and I'm sure that he let everybody know about how he feels about the ship just like he lets everybody know how he feels about everything.
However when you're an unstable idiot, you do things like that.
65
Did Trump purposely hold his Memorial Day address aboard the USS Wasp intentionally!!! …
White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs)
25
@Pray for Help
I wondered that too. Next time, the military should tell him that the only ship available for him to grandstand on is the USS John McCain.
3
Every single day, I wonder who is really running this country... It appears DJT makes the seat-of-his-pants decisions declared as right and proper by Fox News,authoritarian dictators, and by syncopating aides.
No facts needed.
The rest appear to be influenced by unqualified cabinet members, ideologic hangers-on, conspiracy theorists, the members at Mar-a-Lago and the last person he has spoken to.
No legal underpinnings necessary, no intel, no research, no thoughtful discussion.
Simply the gut instincts of an unstable genius out to ruin democracy as we know it.
Voters be damned.
39
Anyone involved in this abhorrent decision should be terminated, all the way up through the chain of command. That includes both military and civilian. And for the President to pass it off as "well meaning" demonstrates his total lack of knowledge and responsibility as Commander in Chief.
I was reluctant to encourage impeachment until Congress further investigated the Mueller report, Not now, Trump is unfit to hold the Office of President.
A Navy Veteran.
1634
@cherrylog754 I agree with you on all of the above. And if the Democrats do not begin impeachment hearings --- I am leaving the party and becoming an Independent. I have lost patience!!
77
@cherrylog754 Such a stupid decision reflects the leadership of the current presidential administration. Yes, the responsible individual is Donald Trump, Himself. He should definitely be terminated.
174
@cherrylog754,
There was no "abhorrent decision." In fact, naval commanders refused to move the ship out of sight after being instructed to do so by the White House. That's a fine hour for the navy, I think.
At some point, adults in the room needed to make a decision, and I think it was the right one. Rather than have clearly upset rank-and-file sailors at the event and risking chaos, they took a wiser course and gave them the day off. Then leaked everything that needed to be leaked to the media.
Bravo, navy. Well played.
103
As the widow of a man that served in the US NAVY 22 years and mother of an active duty Marine stationed abroad I am disgusted that sailors were told not to be seen in their uniforms displaying their ships name and that the ship was hidden to protect the frail ego of a man who did not have the courage to serve when he could because of a “foot bunion”.
What does it say about the state of our country that you would try to hide or disguise a ship bearing the name of a war hero who has sacrificed so much for his country for a vulgar bully who was too afraid to serve? Shame on you to he captain of the USS Mc Cain who obeyed that order you completely disrespected his honor!
1388
@J if you read the article, you'll see that the Navy did not comply with the request to hide the ship.
35
@Katie the sailors were turned away from the Trump event though. It is not what the Navy did here that is at issue. It is what Trump's team tried to get them to do - they don't get a hall pass.
111
@Katie
they moved a tanker in front of the ship so the name was hidden - so yes they did do the wrong thing.
106
Why are all quotes from Democratic lawmakers? NYTimes should get quotes from both parties. If Republicans declined to comment, that's one thing. But it seems NYTimes never asked them to.
10
@Ilya Shlyakhter I thought the same thing but I’ll bet no Republicans would even offer up a negative opinion.
4
@Scott M You're saying only negative opinions are worth printing in the NYT?
Trump is to America, Americans and everything Americans hold dear, as BLASPHEMY is to religion.
19
The pettiness is monumental and it speaks volumes on how this White House operates. It says much on what kind of president we have one will fly off the handle at any slight no matter how small. This is disgraceful.
31
The pettiness is not the most egregious aspect of this yet another debacle in Trump's presidency. What's most worrisome is his autocratic tendency - his politization and weaponization of the various government agencies e.g. intelligence agencies, criminal justice system and now the military to serve his personal needs and agenda. Another 4 years of this administration will make this country unrecognizable!
2
Just as Chris Christie didn’t know about closing the GW bridge. Reasonably intelligent people don’t pull these ideas out of thin air. There are there directed to do so or know that it would please the person for whom they work.
23
What a great Commander-in-Chief the American military now has in Donald Trump.
Giving orders to hide ship's whose names he doesn't like.
Moving carrier groups around to fulfill political aspirations.
The worst is saying he will pardon military personnel who have been tried and convicted of "war crimes" - which will completely demoralize the honest men and women in our Armed Forces.
I served four years in the US Army back in the 1960's. That was at the same time the current CiC was doing his five years of draft dodging. I was proud to serve my country back then. I believed in MacArthur's call of "Duty, Honor, Country".
This irresponsible President reneges on his duty, every day.
This unethical President has no honor whatsoever.
This narcissistic President puts himself well above Country.
Vote this creep of a CiC out in 2020.
37
Perhaps Trump is telling he truth that he didn't know. Perhaps, if unlikely, his staff act without his approval.
Perhaps, even more unlikely it would seem, he isn't a petulant and vindictive egomaniac who would want to disrespect the memory of a deceased war hero.
But clearly someone close to the President made the judgement that he is.
18
@Steve Bright As Harry S. Truman made it clear, whatever happens in the White house and the Administration is the responsibility of the President. Trump is responsible for his staff's actions. No Presidential staff member would ever take action that he or she was not sure that the President would approve of.
1
@Steve Bright
If you have to choose between Trump
telling the truth, and Trump lying ...
the truth choice would be naive.
1
“Now, somebody did it because they thought I didn’t like him, O.K.?”
Not O.K.
So obviously, egregiously not O.K.
Of course, the same could accurately be said about the entire Trump presidency - yet it is far more likely that the current President will continue to petulantly disrespect the military than it is that he will be held accountable for doing so.
25
Describing his underlings' actions as "well-meaning" shows the magnitude of trump's narcissistic disorder, i.e., their actions to dishonor a true American hero on Memorial Day were somehow understandable because they know how much trump disliked McCain. While trump cannot rid this country of its pesky democratic norms by himself, the stunning expansion of the sycophant sector to the Navy is troubling. (God bless all whistleblowers and leakers and journalists.)
32
My father enlisted in the Navy four days after Pearl Harbor, along with his best friend from high school. He served as a radio operator on a tanker running diesel to Patton's forces in North Africa. He was blown out of the radio shack when his ship was torpedoed and watched as his best friend was incinerated. Dad, we will do everything in our power to remove this monstrosity from the Presidency in order to protect the legacy of the finest Navy the world has ever seen.
58
I'm having a little trouble understanding the chain of command, whereby an unknown White House aide can divert a warship without the President's knowledge. I suppose we just have to consider ourselves lucky that the aide didn't order the captains to launch missiles.
37
Trump Decoder:
The opposite of whatever he says is the truth.
18
Does anyone have any confidence that Trump is ever telling the truth?
23
@David M
Not me. I'm generally a "give the benefit of doubt" person, but w/trump, I assume everything he says is a lie.
4
Trump is forever stuck on "lie." Never got off it from his earliest days of speaking.
18
I'm beginning to think the >only< thing Trump cares about is being talked about and remembered. He's the worst rabblerouser there ever was in the history of the world. When his "presidency" is over, the best payback would be to never, ever, ever, ever give him the time of day again.
10
@Chuck
Great starting point! It may be bad karma, but I’ve held out hope that he goes the way of Ariel Sharon, and that his dietary intake results in a similar silencing, for however many days remain with him on this side of the grass...
1
@Chuck - I think he wants an aircraft carrier named for him. That'll show McCain, who just got a teensy little destroyer!
Just think he will be at Normandy for the 75th what a unpleasant thought.
21
Hiding an American warship and turnings its crew members away from a nearby presidential address is unheard of. Doing so because someone feels the name on the ship might tick off the current president is beyond the pale. And this, apparently, is what we have come to.
37
Enough is enough. This is so disgraceful that even the late night comics can’t touch it.
No words.
19
John McCain was well known for going to war with other nations, or wanting to use military action whenever the opportunity presented itself. Is this not a known fact?
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/john-mccain-world-attack-map-syria/
Here is a quote from Trump's foreign policy speech:
"We desire to live peacefully and in friendship with Russia and China. We have serious differences with these two nations, and must regard them with open eyes, but we are not bound to be adversaries. We should seek common ground based on shared interests."
Trump's disparagement of McCain and his reputation makes perfect sense from a foreign policy perspective.
1
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus
And the next line of the quote should be “But we will poke a stick at Iran because we don’t like Iran as much as Russia and we don’t need Iran as much as we need China”.
2
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus
Strangely, McCain would have been closely aligned with Trump's hard line against Iran. Don't you remember; "Bomb, bomb, bomb. Bomb, bomb Iran"?
Disagreement does not have to entail disparagement. Disparagement of an American war hero with a long history of successful public service (not all of his ideas I agreed with either) never makes "sense" from any "perspective". I'm sorry, but you are simply trying to defend the indefensible.
1
@Charles
Awwww. What is a "war Hero" anyway? What makes him so sacred? Both of my parents are dead and some people had a few uncomplimentary things to say about them at one time or another. I don't care what they say. It doesn't offend me because it doesn't matter, but they were not public officials who spoke for a national policy that would have effectively killed thousands of people. Trump is criticizing a man with demonstrable, on the record, anger issues who often used the power of his office to advocate military action against nations. From the perspective of those people who would have been on the receiving end of those military weapons I expect they make note of Trump's criticism of one of our "war heroes". I've talked to some of them, foreign government officials. They are afraid of a USA invasion. Look at our record. They have reason to be apprehensive. Our American military doesn't mind killing innocent civilians.
This is petty, but only when compared to his obstruction of justice of an investigation into his campaign working with, and lying about, a hostile foreign power illegally influencing the U.S. election. He knows he is illegitimate, so do the Russians.
Let's keep the focus on where it should be...when are we going to start those Impeachment Hearings that will, once and for all, illuminate to the American people the abhorrent corruption and complicity of the Russian-Republistan party?
Let's get on to the real "reality" TV show, directed by the House Judiciary Committee.
8
And yet this still won’t be enough to enlighten his followers, his acolytes and his enablers about his character and his mental fitness as human being - let alone as the President. Just one more slimy move in a long trail of slime. I’ve given up thinking any of this will make a difference.
12
@Beelzebub
Are you through?
3
I see you’ve given up on hope for decency too. Sad.
3
Do you know who was captured by the enemy? Andrew Jackson, the man who Trump worships. But, I'm sure Trump is not aware of that history because, well, you know....that would take learning.
22
10000 lies. If his mouth is moving-he's lying through his teeth.
17
Donny probably did not give the order but the fact that he is so thin skinned that his staff felt it was necessary to do this once again shows he not a leader and certainly not someone to be admired or respected.
10
I hope the democratic presidential nominee brings McCains family and sailors wearing McCain logo'd uniforms to every debate and seats them front and center. Where is McCains bff Lindsay graham? Oh yeah following trump around and kissing his behind. I find Lindsay more disgusting than trump.
17
@Oliver
You think McCains family would allow democrats to use them that way you have much more disrespect for the McCains than Trump ever has. Not even Meghan would go along with a stunt like that.
1
@GregP
I'm not so sure. She's very good friends with Joe Biden and greatly admires him. She'd probably do anything in her power to help defeat trump. trump denigrates her father's memory continually. It takes a truly despicable coward to go after the dead.
Whether Trump knew about it or not, the number of people in the chain of command who went along with this disgusting idea must have been fairly significant. Scary to think there is that much lack of judgement amongst our military leaders. The rot at the top seems to have spread well beyond the White House. This is a doozy. How can anyone with a heart vote for this man or the party that supports him?
19
Don't believe anything trump says, not a single word, he lies like he breathes.
10
'Makes ya proud, don't it...' to see Republicans running away from defending the McCain family in the latest White House attack.
14
I have outrage fatigue.
11
First Obama.
...then James Comey...
...then Jeff Flake...
...then Harriet Tubman...
...then John McCain...
Who will they try to scrub from history next?
Thomas Jefferson?
Madison?
Hamilton?
Lincoln?
Thomas Paine?
Who else do we have to protect Trump's from, so he doesn't have another tantrum?
7
@Joe S.
You are not protecting anyone, especially Mr. McCain who I doubt you ever held in much regard when he wasn't the nemesis of Trump. Did you vote for him instead of Obama? I did and I have no problem with Mr. Trump and no reason to want to protect Mr. McCain from anyone. He was, and is today, more than capable of doing that for himself. Even in Death.
Trump says he didn't know about it. This does not have the ring of truth. #MakeLyingWrongAgain
9
Trump is a single weak and abhorrent human. The many Republicans who enable him daily are really the ones to blame for these daily desecration's of our country.
17
Whether it's the cluelessness of the president who let goons running amuck or he is just that kind of person holding grudges like so. Either way, it makes this country laughable, again.
4
“John McCain killed health care for the Republican Party, and he killed health care for the nation,” Mr. Trump said on Thursday, a reference to the late senator’s critical vote against the president’s health care proposal in July 2017.
This is a classic example of what makes Trump so dangerous and so repulsive: The Republicans HAD NO PLAN for national Health Care to replace ACA.
186
@Susanna You are correct. John McCain SAVED healthcare.
42
@Susanna
That's right. Mr. McCain (whom I disagreed with on many issues) voted, in fact, saying the current plan stays until a better one was developed. The only Republican with enough sense to realize that was the right path. For that, he has been demonized by Trump for interfering with his personal Obama legacy "wrecking ball".
13
@Charles "The only Republican with enough sense to realize that was the right path" -- not the only Republican: two others were Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski .
3
There’s also a staffer who ensures Stormy Daniels movies are banned from the White House pay-per-view channels.
41
Done, no doubt, to keep the president from invoking the name of the war hero John McCain in order to coerce the construction of an even bigger ship with his name on it.
This keeps the U.S.S. Trump off everyone's radar.
An awful but effective tactic.
5
Well, all I can say is that if Trump truly didn't know anything about the efforts made to hide an entire naval ship from his gaze for the sake of his personal comfort then he can be accused of not knowing what's going on in the White House, which makes him a weak leader. Sad!
23
I see John McCain still succeeds in rattling Trump's cage nearly a year after his passing. There does seem to be some justice in that, but I wonder how it all goes down with his evangelical friends. Surely, with his having so many connections in high places, something should be able to be done to prevent this scandal from continuing much longer.
13
Having never heard or learned the lesson from Aesop about the boy who cried wolf, he continues to prevaricate; now we never know when he is telling the truth.
9
@mikepsr1 Are you suggesting he EVER tells the truth?
7
@mikepsr1
It's an old gag, but true in this case: When his lips are moving. (I mean, this is a guy who has lied about where his own father was born.)
8
A bigger concern for me was the pictures of military in uniform in Japan wearing Trump patches. They are saying to me that they are Trump soldiers, not American soldiers and they will choose him over America.
120
@Barbara Ramey
It's disturbing on several levels. It's also hard to believe any soldier supports a creep who scammed his way out of service and brazenly lies about it to this day.
25
@Barbara Ramey They are saying to me that they should receive at least an Article 15 for violating DOD Directive 13.4410 (the military equivalent of the Hatch Act) by wearing uniforms in public decorated with political patches, and that whoever was stupid enough to issue political patches to be worn on a military uniform should be busted down a couple of ranks.
45
That’s the bigger and more dangerous story!
21
"Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do." --Timothy Snyder. Twenty Lessons on Fighting Tyranny From the 20th Century
16
So Trump's staff did this on their own initiative, thinking that it would please him, and now Trump washes his hands... I guess this is one of the challenges of working for a mob boss. Since they don't give direct orders (in order to protect themselves from their inappropriate/illegal actions), their staff needs to guess what to do and pay for the consequences themselves. Indeed, telepathy is a difficult art to master...
19
I am stunned that no one up the chain of command including the Commander of the USS McCain or the fleet admiral had the courage or integrity to deny this order.
What are we teaching to our troops who sacrifice and serve? That it’s a waste of time? That there is no sense in serving honorably because even if you die for your country or are tortured and left maimed your leaders will bend to the will of a Snowflake type President who dodged military service?
The final test for Marines is called the Crucible it’s 54 hours long ...I this because my son is an active duty Marine stationed abroad and my husband served 22 years in the Navy ....Part of this test is teaching them about men who served honorably and with courage.
I hope in the future this story is used as a training method to show what it is to serve without integrity or courage as a leader. It’s absolutely shameful that our military leaders agreed to this ...it is disrespectful to the sailors who serve on this ship and the memory of John Mc Cain’s sacrifice to this country.
I truly hope this is investigated I think the Fleet Admiral and Commander of this ship should resign because of cowardice in service to the men and women they serve. The only one they served was a thin skinned man.
54
@J It was stopped when one of the senior Navy people learned of it and the tarpaulins removed so the McCain name could be seen as normal.
4
Aside from being resentful that a Navy destroyer was named after his foe, Trump also is not thrilled about the fact that he is not one of the Presidents whose names and portraits appear on U.S. currency. So his staff has ordered that there be no cash in the White House.
15
@Jay Orchard
I could see him on a three-dollar bill. As in, “crooked as....”
2
@Jay Orchard
By the end of Trump’s presidency there won’t be any in the Treasury either.
3
This is the modus operandi of Trump. Someone in his close circle commits an illegal/unethical act on his behalf(totally on his command) that benefits him.
While taking the credit for the outcome he will distance himself once it is exposed. His hitman will be hero if he takes the blame or will be thrown under the bus right away as traitor/loser.
Finally we've to move on since as long as he deems the outcome as his victory it justifies the means. A winner can't be wrong. Losing side is always bitter because they exposed his illegal act. That's his philosophy.
2
Does anyone actually believe Trump would have noticed this ship? Does anyone believe he's that astute? I figure he still calls ships boats, ala, his navy has the best boats!
The other thing I would like to know is how does Senator McCain get away with having him be hidden from public view from Trump? There are 60% of 329 million people in the U.S. that would like not to be associated with him in any way shape or form. And that number is growing!
Although we all hope and pray that there will come a point in time that this President and the Administration finally reach the lowest point in the history of the U.S. (another thing to brag about), we find there's always something more to lower the bar some more.
Speaking of the bar, it is 5 O'clock somewhere!
5
@Gene Gietzen
Even though I'm in the same time zone, I missed happy hour. But I like to say, trump shouldn't be the focus of our lives. Do you want another four years of trump's secrecy, his name calling, his belittlement, his love for our enemies, or as recently, his disdain for an American hero?
I wrote more but I deleted more ...
Cheers.
2
@carlo1
As I Midlandic neighbor, I didn't want the first 4 years. As a kid, I was taught any man could grow up to be President. The voters just picked the wrong person. No, Trump shouldn't be our daily focus, but then again, I worry about his selection of "friends", none of which have a stellar reputation, ethics or care for their people. Can't trust the Congress to do anything, so that leaves us to guard the gates of our freedom.
Headline:
“Trump Says He Didn’t Know About Efforts to Hide the U.S.S. McCain”
And why again are Americans supposed to believe trump???? About anything???
This is just another coverup of trump’s ego-driven vindictiveness. This is the epitome of trump’s M.
O. He’s still trying to erase Senator McCain by getting his minions to erase the USS McCain, including its sailors.
How “Kim Jong Un” of him.
14
Simply astounding that the White House need to resort to these silly measures just to assuage Trump. I have to wonder how much time, effort, and money was spent on this and other trivialities.
6
“But certainly I couldn’t care less whether or not there’s a boat named after his father.”
Isn't the USS John S. McCain named after Senator McCain, himself, and not his father?
(Is this some unconscious slip Trump has about being compared to his own father?)
3
@Beth Cioffoletti It's named after the grandfather, father, and the late Senator and trumps comment is a purposeful attempt to demean the third namesake.
11
@Beth Cioffoletti
No, my understanding is that it is named after the Grandfather, the Father and Mc Cain himself.
4
@Beth Cioffoletti
The ship was originally named for the senator's father and grandfather, both Navy admirals.
3
He knew nothing about it. And I am the Queen of England.
15
Just another example of Trump-message. "Fine people on both sides" in Charlotte and "well meaning" request to hide ship's name in Japan.
8
45's supporters: any defending statements? Your silence is deafening. Maybe this is the fulcrum that tips you back into wanting an actual president in office instead of ...this.
16
The first eight words seem appropriate for anything involving one of the most clueless people ever to serve as President. "President Trump said on Thursday he knew nothing ..."
13
What was Trump's class ranking? Oh right, we'll never know because he is too ashamed of his grades to release them.
16
What is scary is the "MAGA" patches some of the the aircrew wore!
Unless someone in leadership shows some courage, the slide will only accelerate.
13
He'll never admit it but "deep down", Trump would prefer if the USS John S. McCain (sans crew) was permanently scuttled to the bottom of the sea, just like the warship named after the late Senator McCain's home state.
2
Someone ordered it, unless the USS McCain is out of control.
6
The trouble with a known liar is that when he tells the truth, nobody believes him.
5
Of course we should all believe it was just a mistaken belief that Trump doesn't like warships named after heroes who were captured. Why would he lie?
21
@Drew
You've got to admit tough ... there is a certain amount of irony ( genuine irony not the ' hipster' wanna be variety ) when a five time draft dodging quisling like Trump is offended by the very presence of a military veteran and hero's name on the side of a military craft .
The greatest irony though when it comes to this current US military and the POTUS ? The Air Force Academy allowing the same five time draft dodging quisling posing as the US president at this very moment to address its graduating class of 2019 . An irony that unfortunately says leagues about what the US military's current genuine loyalties and sense of ' honor ' has become .
Honestly .. I'm almost glad the likes of McCain .. mine and my spouses many decorated WWII etc relatives etc aren't around to witness what the US military has devolved into .
9
So, someone in the tight little world around Trump took it on him or herself to instruct the Naval Attache to 'conceal' the name on the USS John S. McCain. Is this same outre' chain of command going to be followed when Trump decides he doesn't want to see Iran any more? Will le petit prince or the daughter call up whoever they think appropriate and initiate the war, send the troops, beat the drums and sound the horn? This is where we are now, absent impeachment?
31
@GWPDA At least future Presidents and citizens of the world want be having such a "problem". There will be nothing anywhere named after this Donald.
NADA -
5
"“It’s clear that Mr. Trump doesn’t understand service or sacrifice, and our service members deserve better,” Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado who served as an Army Ranger in Iraq, said in a Twitter post."
I'm not sure if it's he doesn't understand or just doesn't care. Since his inauguration, I've noted how much he loves using government or military categories as backdrops for his vanity, as if their luster somehow washes over him.
All this is abhorrent coming from a man who obtained service deferments with the help of his wealthy dad.
Remember how he blabbered on about "crowd size" in visiting the CIA with its wall of stars, people who died in the service of their country? Remember how appalled General Mattis was at the prospect of a military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue where the president could sit in a high box surveying "his troops" like a king, or a strongman?
That the president's staff would seek to protect this man's ego by insulting the battleship McCain is beyond the pale.
Maybe Trump didn't know about the White House request, but that didn't stop him from repeating his favorite McCain attacks or claiming incredibly that he "never would asked this himself."
40
The next president should be any child in America picked at random from a playground. Then we are more likely to have four years of relatively mature leadership.
67
Somehow I'm reminded of the 1970's quote attributed to writer Mary McCarthy about Lillian Hellman. She said "every word she writes is a lie, including "and" and "the." I feel the same way about every word Trump says.
37
President Donald Trump is so sensitive, has such delicate feelings, that his handlers felt I necessary to go to extraordinary lengths to protect him from seeing the words John McCain, in order, on a boat, or on a hat. I am wondering if this condition is an outgrowth of the bone spur issues that prevented him from serving bravely during the Vietnam War? It's nice that he expressed his appreciation for those seeking only to spare him pain.
21
Not sure which is worse 1) Trump wanted it done to soothe his fragile ego 2) his staff wasting time trying to preemptively soothe his fragile ego
33
This situation and the events that have followed is shameful and disgusting. What Trump and his administration has done reminds me of the GBW scandal in Fort Lee NJ during Chris Christie's administration. Chris Christie also claimed to know nothing about that and let several of his closest staff go to prison for that fiasco. One of those geniuses ended up working in the White House for Donald Trump. No one believes for one minute that Donald Trump knew nothing about this any more than anyone believed for one minute that Chris Christie didn't know exactly what was going on. They both know how to play dumb and claim innocence for their dirty work and let others take the fall for their wrongdoing.
It is unconscionable for this president and his administration to treat our Navy sailors this way who are overseas far away from home protecting our country on Memorial Day. What an absolute disgrace and embarrassment to put them through that - it is shameful and disgusting. Not only that but to dishonor John McCain, his father and his grandfather who are all war heroes and sacrificed for this country serving in the armed forces - is just an utter disgrace. This president and his administration are unfit for the offices they hold and are a deadly malignant cancer on America. This president and his administration should be held accountable for their behavior.
32
If Trump did not know, then all those who participated in obscuring the USS John S. McCain or in preventing members of its crew from attending the Trump speech must be called out publicly and punished. Anything less amounts to a ratification of their despicable behavior.
19
Of all the possible ships to strut on, he, and/ or his people, chose the WASP. WASP is an acronym for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant a group often considered the most dominant, privileged, and influential in American society. As always, it's about his pathetic self-image.
12
Kevin
USS Wasp was named after a distinguished aircraft carrier lost in battle in WW2. There was also another carrier called Hornet, also lost which launched the Doolittle raiders against Japan. Sometimes a name is just a name not an acronym.
2
Given Trump's relentless animus against Mc Cain and his irrepressible recourse to lies, why would anyone believe Trump's denial of knowing about this? Even if that denial is true, the Navy's trying to keep the name of the ship from Trump shows to what extent normalcy and honor are being sacrificed to fears of offending his ego. One very sick man now rules the
seas.
24
The crew had the day off. So that Melania's set designers could "fix" the backdrop as to not deter from the optics.
9
2,5 years into his administration Trump has lied himself out of any and what little credibility he ever had. His lying seems to be what animal behaviorist call a Fixed Action Pattern.
14
Trump's pawns likely intended to keep the Commander and Chief from going off on a rant about McCain and how he wasn't a war hero. They delude themselves to believe that there is any way to keep the narcissist leader of the ignorance cult from spewing vitriolic jibberish for no apparent reason at all. If not McCain then someone else who is far above Trump in capability, and for whom he has a dislike because they in contrast to him are capable and not evil.
10
This latest contemptible Trump stunt may result in something positive. Disgust is a powerful motivator inside the polling booth.
16
With all the lies Trump has told even about the most mundane things it is hard to believe that he did not know about this. If anything, he may have made an offhand comment and someone took it and ran with it. Either way, it shows the level of sycophantic behavior of his underlings.
13
I imagine someone was afraid that Trump would put his foot in his mouth in Japan if he saw the ship. It's disgusting that his toddler's antics are so catered to, and that not one Republican would stand up for Senator McCain after his long and distinguished service for the country. The whole party's a mess.
34
We have a problem. Our mistake. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the constitution that directly states that a president who is mean, petty, vindictive, paranoid, narcissistic, deranged, obsessed, incompetent... can be directly removed from office.
6
@Anne
But, one who obstructs justice can be removed from office!
3
He totally knew about it.
Remember how he said he didn’t know about any payments to Stormy Daniels?
Remember how he said he knew nothing about that cover up letter regarding Don Jr’s meeting with the Russians ?
We all know he’s lying.
It’s just that in the long list of egregious lies this president has told, this is way down the list somewhere, so we shake our heads, talk about it for a while and move on with whatever is left of our lives
18