US President Donald Trump failed to mention John McCain, who is seriously ill with brain cancer, at the signing of a bill named after him.
President Trump signed a $716bn defence bill, which was named after Republican war veteran Mr McCain, on Monday.
The bill, called the John S McCain National Defence Authorisation Act, will authorise military spending at the US army’s Fort Drum base in upstate New York, boosting military pay by 2.6 per cent.
As well as this, Mr Trump said the bill will introduce thousands of new recruits to active duty, replace ageing tanks, planes, ships and helicopters.
Mr Trump said: “Hopefully we’ll be so strong we’ll never have to use it. But if we ever did, nobody has a chance.”
When signing for the new bill, Mr Trump failed to acknowledge or say Mr McCain’s name – even when saying the name of the bill.
This prompted outrage on social media towards Mr Trump.
Howard Fineman, an NBC anchor, said it was “almost beyond comprehension”.
He tweeted: “I was in Hanoi with @SenJohnMcCain in 2000; saw where he was shot down and the prison in which he nearly died. Now he’s bravely facing death again. It’s almost beyond comprension that @realDonaldTrump could be so petty. Almost, but not.”
Another reporter, Felicia Sonmez also tweeted her shock at Mr Trump.
The Washington Post reporter wrote: “Wow. At event to sign the John S. McCain National Defence Authorization Act, President Trump makes no mention of John McCain.”
Mr McCain, who is seriously ill and suffering from brain cancer, simply tweeted he was “proud” of the bill.
He wrote: “I'm proud the NDAA is now law & humbled Congress chose to designate it in my name. As Chairman of the Armed Services Cmte, I've found high purpose in service of a cause greater than self—the cause of our troops who defend America & all that she stands for.”
Mr Trump and Mr McCain have previously spoken out about one another before.
During Mr Trump’s campaign to become the Republican candidate for president, Mr Trump reportedly questioned whether or not Mr McCain was a war hero.
