McCain: Trump Owes Apology To Vets, Not To Me
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. John McCain said Monday that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump doesn't need to apologize to him for remarks about his captivity in Vietnam, but should tell veterans he's sorry.
Appearing in a nationally broadcast interview, the Arizona Republican said, "When Mr. Trump says he prefers to be with people who are not captured, the great honor of my life was to be in the company of heroes.''
"I am not a hero --- I'm in the arena,'' McCain said Monday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," suggesting he's fair game for criticism as an elected official. "I think he may owe an apology to the families of those who have sacrificed in conflict."
In an opinion piece published Monday in USA Today, Trump said McCain has abandoned the nation's veterans and made America "less safe'' through his votes in Congress.
The real estate executive also lashed out at fellow GOP presidential aspirants who have criticized his remarks, calling them "failed politicians.'' Trump said he did not need "to be lectured by any of them.''
The op-ed comes as Trump is on the defensive for dismissing McCain's reputation as a war hero because McCain was captured in Vietnam and, "I like people who weren't captured.''
Politicians from both parties have since come out in McCain's defense, including Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
"John McCain is one of my dearest friends in the Senate and he is a true hero," Schumer told WCBS 880's Jim Smith. "What I'd like is for Donald Trump to apologize, retract it, and move on."
"What Mr. Trump said about Sen. McCain was unacceptable," de Blasio said during a press briefing Monday. "Sen. McCain is a war hero by any measure and he really should apologize."
The quintessential Trump trash talk, including his opinions on immigration, has gotten him the boot from NBC and Macy's, among others, and Mayor de Blasio said Monday Trump's partnerships will no longer be welcomed by the city, CBS2's Jessica Schneider reported.
"We're certainly not looking to do business going forward," the mayor said.
However, the city already has several long-standing contracts with Trump, Schneider reported. He operates the Central Park carousel, the skating rink, and a brand new golf course in the Bronx.
While the city reviews those contracts to see if they're breakable, Trump won't be able to operate city concessions in the future. He can still build and develop real estate, Schneider reported.
On a contentious appearance on the NBC's "Today'' Show Monday, Trump took issue with the media's reporting on his comments about McCain's war record, made at a conservative forum in Iowa.
Trump insisted in a telephone interview with anchor Matt Lauer that he had said "four times'' that he respected those captured in war.
Trump said his comments were taken out of context, but isn't backing down with the attacks against McCain.
"I'm saying that John McCain has done a horrible job, the VA is a scandalous, corrupt organization," Trump said.
McCain said he believes it was "totally inappropriate for Mr. Trump to say he doesn't like to be with people who are captured.''
"I think the point here is that there are so many men and women who served and sacrificed -- and happened to be held prisoner -- and to denigrate in any way that service, I think, is offensive to veterans.''
"The best thing to do is put it behind us and move forward,'' McCain said.
CBS2's Ilana Gold hit the streets of Manhattan and asked dozens of people from across the country what they think about this issue. Most said they oppose Trump's comments.
"I think he's a big idiot," said Peter Kettle of Boerum Hill.
"I think he's dead wrong, McCain's a hero," said William Roos of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.
"I think it's an outrage that Donald Trump would say such horrible things to a man who has served our country," Kaylie Flannigan of Vermont said.
But some Trump supporters defended him and said they wouldn't be swayed by the controversy.
"I think he got a little nervous and said them in the wrong way," said Dorothy Tavolacci of Hartsdale, New York. "Love him, want him to be president, want to work on his campaign. I love Donald Trump!"
A new Monmouth University release Monday shows Trump's comments didn't have an immediate impact on Republican supporters in Iowa. When asked who they would vote for in the local caucus, Trump came in second to Scott Walker with 13 percent of the vote.
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