UPDATED: GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump took shots at John McCain’s military history on Saturday, arguing that the Arizona Senator was “not a war hero.”
“He’s a war hero because he was captured,” Trump said. “I like people that weren’t captured.”
McCain, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for six years, recently criticized Trump for stirring “the crazies” for his controversial remarks on immigration.
The New York mogul told moderator Frank Luntz that he supported McCain’s failed presidential bid in 2008 with $1 million in campaign contributions. “I’ve never liked him as much after that,” he said. “I don’t like losers.”
Despite backlash, Trump made it clear on Sunday that he would not be apologizing to the war veteran. He told Martha Raddatz on ABC’s “This Week” that he had no plans to say sorry, touting a positive response from the Family Leadership Council Summit.
“When I left the room, it was a total standing ovation,” said Trump. “It was wonderful to see. Nobody was insulted.”
He went on to say that McCain has “done nothing to help the vets.”
“I’m very disappointed in John McCain because the vets are horribly treated in this country,” he said. “I’m fighting for the vets. I’ve done a lot for the vets.”
NBC recently severed ties with Trump following his scathing rhetoric on Mexican immigrants.
Last week, Trump’s campaign revealed that NBC had paid him over $213 million for his 14 seasons on “The Apprentice.” NBCUniversal and Trump were also partners in the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision ultimately cut its ties to Trump as well after he called Hispanics “rapists” and drug smugglers.
On Saturday, Trump refused to back down from his remarks that sparked national outrage.
“I’m so proud of the fact I got a dialogue started on illegal immigration,” he said. “I’m very happy.”
