Trump mimics John McCain, MS-13 stabbings, and a 'fake news' journalist during rowdy campaign rally

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/Aaron Rupar)

published 3 August 2018

During a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, President Trump took on many different roles.

First, he assumed the role of the press, which the White House has deemed the "enemy of the people." Trump was obsessed with his opinion that the media doesn't give him enough positive coverage, a complaint he returned to again and again throughout his 90-minute speech. While reliving the glorious night in 2016 when he won the election, Trump mocked a reporter who he said was panicking while covering the number of votes that Trump received. "His hands start shaking," said Trump, punctuating the impression with "fake news!"

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In his final performance, Trump mimicked Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). The president said he would have finally vanquished Obamacare, "except one guy, at 2 o'clock in the morning, went in and said 'thumbs down,'" referring to when McCain was one of the few GOP lawmakers to oppose a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Slack-jawed, Trump appeared to mock McCain's health, which has declined in recent months as the senator faces brain cancer. Summer Meza

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Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.

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