Trump finally issues a non-tweet statement about John McCain


Following backlash from veterans' groups, President Trump on Monday issued an official proclamation and statement regarding the death of Sen. John McCain.
Trump was criticized for being uncharacteristically quiet following a brief tweet Saturday. While Trump's tweet offered sympathies to McCain's family, it offered no praise for the longtime Arizona senator, nor did an official statement follow to recognize his death. The White House flags were lowered to half-staff for a day and a half, though protocol dictated that they remain lowered until McCain's interment Sunday.
The controversy worsened after Trump ignored question after question about McCain on Monday. The American Legion, a major veterans' organization, urged the White House to recognize McCain more thoroughly, though Trump was frequently at odds with the senator over the years.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Sen. John McCain's service to our country," read the official statement from Trump. Trump said that he had asked Vice President Mike Pence to speak at McCain's ceremony at the Capitol on Friday and for other top officials to attend his services, to which Trump was not invited.
In a proclamation, Trump officially directed that the White House flags be lowered once again, "as a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service" of McCain. He also instructed U.S. embassies and military posts to lower the flags.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
The sneaky rise of whooping cough
Under the Radar The measles outbreak isn't the only one to worry about
By Theara Coleman, The Week US
-
7 nightlife destinations that are positively electric
The Week Recommends Accra, Seoul, Berlin: These are a few of the cities that come alive after dark
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Crossword: April 15, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia University
Speed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Supreme Court backs wrongly deported migrant
Speed Read The Trump administration must 'facilitate' the return of wrongfully deported migrant Kilmar Ábrego García from El Salvador, Supreme Court says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Two judges bar war-powers deportations
Speed Read The Trump administration was blocked from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport more alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump pauses some tariffs but ramps up China tax
Speed Read The president suspended most 'reciprocal' tariffs for 90 days and raised his tariffs for China to 125%
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Ukraine nabs first Chinese troops in Russia war
Speed Read Ukraine claims to have f two Chinese men fighting for Russia
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
IRS chief resigning after ICE deal on taxpayer data
Speed Read Several IRS officials are stepping down after the tax agency is forced to share protected taxpayer records to further Trump's deportation drive
By Peter Weber, The Week US