Trump again went after John McCain on Twitter for a second day on Sunday, citing court papers purportedly showing that the never-Trump Republican senator had a bigger than previously thought role spreading the since-discredited Steele dossier to US intelligence services and the media.
"So it was indeed (just proven in court papers) 'last in his class' (Annapolis) John McCain that sent the Fake Dossier to the FBI and Media hoping to have it printed BEFORE the Election," Trump wrote.
So it was indeed (just proven in court papers) “last in his class” (Annapolis) John McCain that sent the Fake Dossier to the FBI and Media hoping to have it printed BEFORE the Election. He & the Dems, working together, failed (as usual). Even the Fake News refused this garbage!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 17 марта 2019 г.
"He & the Dems, working together, failed (as usual). Even the Fake News refused this garbage!" he added.
Trump's remarks were his second attack against the late Senator — who died of cancer-related complications last year — in less than 24 hours, with Trump earlier accusing McCain of multiple "stains" on his record, including "spreading the fake and totally discredited" Steele dossier and his "thumbs down on [the] repeal and replace" healthcare bill in the Senate.
Spreading the fake and totally discredited Dossier “is unfortunately a very dark stain against John McCain.” Ken Starr, Former Independent Counsel. He had far worse “stains” than this, including thumbs down on repeal and replace after years of campaigning to repeal and replace!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 16 марта 2019 г.
Trump's initial reaction to the story prompted McCain's daughter Meghan to respond, with The View co-host telling the president that "no one will ever love you the way they loved my father" and asking him to "maybe spend [your Saturdays] with your family instead of on twitter obsessing over mine?"
No one will ever love you the way they loved my father…. I wish I had been given more Saturday’s with him. Maybe spend yours with your family instead of on twitter obsessing over mine? https://t.co/q7ezwmHiQ4
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) 16 марта 2019 г.
Trump's Sunday Twitter attack on the former senator prompted an explosion of comments online, with social media users predictably dividing along anti-Trump pro-Trump lines to attack their opponents.
A story of Two Republican Presidential Candidates:
— Ryan Hill (@RyanHillMI) 17 марта 2019 г.
"I have to tell you. Obama is a decent person & a person you don’t have to be scared of as POTUS,”
This is What Real Leadership Looks like!pic.twitter.com/7AEPq4fX3C
A story of Two Republican Presidential Candidates:
— Ryan Hill (@RyanHillMI) 17 марта 2019 г.
Trump Supporter:"We have a problem in this country, it's called Muslims…when can we get rid of them?"
Trump: "A lot of people are saying that…we're going to be looking at that."
Quite the Contrast!pic.twitter.com/l9yuQNhett
How Christ-like of you to spend your Sunday morning insulting a dead man who served our country.
— Anonymous White House Official (@dvorakoelling) 17 марта 2019 г.
John McCain was a horribly vindictive and bitter little man.
— CC (@ChatByCC) 17 марта 2019 г.
This will be his legacy.
NO NAME = TREASON pic.twitter.com/lhvTYDPakx
— 🇺🇸 Miguelifornia (@michaelbeatty3) 17 марта 2019 г.
The Steele Dossier's accusations, which include salacious claims about Trump's alleged sexual kinks, remain unsubstantiated despite over two years of investigation by US intelligence agencies, Congress and the US media. Trump has repeatedly described the dossier as a "pile of garbage." The document was written by former British spy Christopher Steele after he was contracted by opposition research firm Fusion GPS, with the dossier funded by multiple actors, including the Democratic National Committee and billionaire George Soros.