In the final months of his life, Senator John McCain, who passed away at 81 after battling brain cancer, made a decisive choice regarding his funeral arrangements. According to reports, he specifically requested that President Donald Trump not attend the service. This decision sent ripples through Washington and beyond, highlighting the complex relationship between the two leaders.

In early May, McCain’s team reportedly informed the White House of the "current plan" for his funeral, as detailed by The New York Times. It was revealed that McCain wanted Vice President Mike Pence to represent the administration at the service, instead of Trump. This deliberate choice underscored the senator’s strong stance and set the stage for a historic moment in American politics.

When news of McCain's decision broke, it caused quite a stir. CNN's Jake Tapper described it as "a real moment for the country," emphasizing the significance of an American hero making such a bold statement. Tapper noted on State of the Union that McCain was saying, in essence, "I don’t want this guy at my funeral." This moment captured the attention of the nation, sparking discussions about the relationship between the two figures.

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McCain and Trump: A Rocky Relationship

The relationship between McCain and Trump has been far from smooth. In 2015, Trump made headlines by questioning McCain's status as a war hero due to his capture during the Vietnam War. Fast forward to February, and the President criticized McCain again over his pivotal vote against the Republicans' Affordable Care Act repeal. Trump remarked, "Everyone said, 'What happened? What was that all about?' Boy, oh, boy… What a mess." These comments highlighted the tension between the two leaders, reflecting a deeper ideological divide.

McCain, too, had strong opinions about Trump, as revealed in excerpts from his memoir, The Restless Wave. He wrote, "He seems uninterested in the moral character of world leaders and their regimes." McCain further criticized Trump, saying, "The appearance of toughness or a reality show facsimile of toughness seems to matter more than any of our values. Flattery secures his friendship, criticism his enmity." These words paint a vivid picture of McCain's views on the President's leadership style.

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Great to be at the Ambrosetti Forum in beautiful Lake Como, Italy! Look forward to discussing the need for strong American leadership in the world tomorrow.
A post shared by John McCain (@senjohnmccain) on Sep 1, 2017 at 10:20am PDT

McCain's Passing and Trump's Tribute

On August 25, 2018, the McCain family announced his passing in an official statement. Just a day earlier, it was revealed that McCain had chosen to discontinue medical treatments for his brain cancer. The family shared that Senator John Sidney McCain III passed away at 4:28 p.m., surrounded by his wife Cindy and their family. The message from McCain's office emphasized his lifelong dedication to serving the United States, spanning six decades.

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Following the announcement, President Trump took to Twitter to offer his condolences. He wrote, "My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!" This gesture, while appreciated, did little to overshadow the broader narrative of their strained relationship.

McCain's Funeral: A Final Farewell

McCain's funeral services began in Arizona, his home state, on Thursday, August 30. His body was then flown from Phoenix to Washington, D.C., where it was displayed for public viewing at the U.S. Capitol on Friday, August 31. The funeral took place at the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday, September 1, before McCain was laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sunday, September 2. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were invited to speak at the service, while Vice President Pence attended, but President Trump was notably absent.

Despite McCain’s wishes, Trump may not have intended to attend anyway. When former First Lady Barbara Bush passed away earlier that year, Trump chose not to attend her service to avoid disruptions due to added security. This decision mirrored his approach to other high-profile funerals, where former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama all attended without concern for security issues.