Donald Trump making provocative statements is old news, but his statements belittling Senator John McCain's war record drew widespread criticism and condemnation.
Trump and McCain have been engaged in a war of words over the past week, since the Arizona senator said that Trump was riling up "crazies" in the party with the inflammatory remarks about illegal immigrants from Mexico.
Criticizing McCain's military record at a conservative forum Saturday, Trump said that the party's 2008 nominee and former prisoner of war was a "war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured," ABC News reported. The comment drew some boos from some in the audience - and quick condemnation from rivals who have been waiting for such an opening against the outspoken Trump.
McCain, a Navy fighter pilot, was imprisoned and tortured in a Hanoi prison for five years during the Vietnam War after being shot down.
"As an individual who has worn the uniform of this country, I was highly offended by what Donald Trump said about John McCain and his years of sacrifice in a dirty, dingy, terrible prison in North Vietnam," said former Texas governor Rick Perry, himself a subject of recent attacks from Trump, The Washington Post reported.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush tweeted, "Enough with the slanderous attacks." Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Trump should apologize to McCain and "all the other men and women who have worn the uniform." Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that prisoners of war "deserve much better than to have their service questioned by the offensive rantings of Donald Trump." Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tweeted, "Senator John McCain is an American Hero. Period. Stop."
When questioned about his own military draft status, Trump, 69, said that he received medical deferments from the Vietnam War because of a bone spur in his foot. He could not recall which foot was afflicted, The New York Times reported.
Trump kept up the rhetoric on Sunday when he refused to apologize for his remarks amidst growing discontentment among fellow Republicans, saying that he had no plans to drop out of the race. Asked on ABC's "This Week" if he owed McCain an apology, Trump said, "No, not at all." He again blasted McCain's support for fellow veterans, Reuters reported.
"John McCain has failed," Trump said, citing delays in health care for veterans. "I believe that I will do far more for veterans than John McCain has done for many, many years, with all talk no action ... Nothing gets done."
