When a house of cards is built on a foundation of corruption and the winds of karma finally blow, it’s destined to fall at a rapid pace.
Donald Trump’s decades of deception are coming back to haunt him in a remarkable display of poetic justice. The very things that propelled Trump into superstardom, and ultimately the presidency, are proving to be his undoing. We’re watching the greatest con man in American history begin to experience an Icarus-like fall, after a meteoric rise.
The President of the United States has been implicated in criminal campaign finance violations—crimes that were committed in an effort to influence the election to help him obtain that title.
In the 80s and 90s, the tabloids helped propel Trump’s brand into American discourse through their obsessive, and at times scandalous, coverage of the Donald. Now, American Media, Inc. CEO, and longtime Trump ally David Pecker, has received immunity from federal investigators in the Michael Cohen investigation which probes Donald Trump’s conduct.
In the 2000s NBC’s The Apprentice broadcasted Donald Trump into Americans’ living rooms, presenting him as a brilliant businessman. Now, Trump’s most famous Apprentice Omarosa Manigault Newman has turned against him in a new book, releasing damning audio tapes corroborating her claims.
Throughout it all, the Trump Organization was there. Through its multiple failures and successes and its alleged frauds and schemes, CFO Allen Weisselberg, the one man who has seen it all, has now been granted immunity.
His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been convicted on 8 felony counts.
His former national security adviser Michael Flynn has pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators.
His former deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates has pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators.
His former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators.
And now, his former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen has pleaded guilty and is allegedly looking to cooperate Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Donald Trump is cornered. The chickens have begun to come home to roost.
After the events of this week, the prospect of impeachment hearings in the event Democrats win the House went from likely to inevitable. But of course, removal from office still remains unlikely, given the fact 67 votes in the Senate are needed and the GOP still stands behind Trump. That being said, Mueller’s upcoming reports coupled with Trump’s low approval rating and the potential of a blue wave this November might change that calculus.
At the moment, the Republican Party has knelt to the whim of a President who has not only displayed a complete lack of basic human decency but has now been implicated in criminal conduct.
This whirlwind week ended with the death of the maverick John McCain. And it appears that the last remnants of the Republican Party’s decency have died with him.
Let’s dive in.
Day 578: Monday, August 20
“Truth Isn’t Truth”
President Donald Trump listens during a swearing-in ceremony for incoming Central Intelligence Agency director Gina Haspel at CIA Headquarters, Monday, May 21, 2018, in Langley, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Over the weekend, a bombshell New York Times report dropped that will have wide-ranging ramifications in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, and bled into Monday:
The White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, has cooperated extensively in the special counsel investigation, sharing detailed accounts about the episodes at the heart of the inquiry into whether President Trump obstructed justice, including some that investigators would not have learned of otherwise, according to a dozen current and former White House officials and others briefed on the matter.
In at least three voluntary interviews with investigators that totaled 30 hours over the past nine months, Mr. McGahn described the president’s fury toward the Russia investigation and the ways in which he urged Mr. McGahn to respond to it. He provided the investigators examining whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice a clear view of the president’s most intimate moments with his lawyer.
Among them were Mr. Trump’s comments and actions during the firing of the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, and Mr. Trump’s obsession with putting a loyalist in charge of the inquiry, including his repeated urging of Attorney General Jeff Sessions to claim oversight of it. Mr. McGahn was also centrally involved in Mr. Trump’s attempts to fire the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, which investigators might not have discovered without him.
Don McGahn’s cooperation will go a long way in helping Mueller establish Trump’s corrupt intent—the key in any obstruction of justice case. https://t.co/P3RyqFT4n1
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 18, 2018
President Trump did not take kindly to the reporting, going on a Twitter tirade on Sunday morning.
The failing @nytimes wrote a Fake piece today implying that because White House Councel Don McGahn was giving hours of testimony to the Special Councel, he must be a John Dean type “RAT.” But I allowed him and all others to testify – I didn’t have to. I have nothing to hide……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2018
….and have demanded transparency so that this Rigged and Disgusting Witch Hunt can come to a close. So many lives have been ruined over nothing – McCarthyism at its WORST! Yet Mueller & his gang of Dems refuse to look at the real crimes on the other side – Media is even worse!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2018
No Collusion and No Obstruction, except by Crooked Hillary and the Democrats. All of the resignations and corruption, yet heavily conflicted Bob Mueller refuses to even look in that direction. What about the Brennan, Comey, McCabe, Strzok lies to Congress, or Crooked’s Emails!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2018
The Failing New York Times wrote a story that made it seem like the White House Councel had TURNED on the President, when in fact it is just the opposite – & the two Fake reporters knew this. This is why the Fake News Media has become the Enemy of the People. So bad for America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2018
Some members of the media are very Angry at the Fake Story in the New York Times. They actually called to complain and apologize – a big step forward. From the day I announced, the Times has been Fake News, and with their disgusting new Board Member, it will only get worse!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2018
Study the late Joseph McCarthy, because we are now in period with Mueller and his gang that make Joseph McCarthy look like a baby! Rigged Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2018
Meanwhile, Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani went on the Sunday show’s and made a gaffe that conquered the Twitter trends…
Trump: “What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.”
Kellyanne Conway: The White House gives “alternative facts.”
Rudy Giuliani: “Truth isn’t truth.”pic.twitter.com/6IdN7EDMYb
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) August 19, 2018
Rudy Giuliani just echoed Trump’s admission that the Trump Tower meeting was held to try & get dirt on Clinton from Russians
That’s Illegal
Bogus claims like “collusion is not a crime” & “truth isn’t truth” are part of a PR strategy to gaslight his base https://t.co/oP7riGU1MV
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) August 19, 2018
On Monday, President Trump continued his obstructive claims:
Where’s the Collusion? They made up a phony crime called Collusion, and when there was no Collusion they say there was Obstruction (of a phony crime that never existed). If you FIGHT BACK or say anything bad about the Rigged Witch Hunt, they scream Obstruction!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2018
Bob Mueller is a lifelong public servant, a Purple-Heart-decorated Marine veteran, and the man who led the FBI with distinction in the years following 9/11. No unhinged tweet can tarnish that record of service to our country. https://t.co/63Z8sCThd0
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) August 20, 2018
This man @realDonaldTrump really just said he could run the probe that is examining his own conduct. https://t.co/1QxNCYoRVa
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 20, 2018
In other news…
- Reuters: Exclusive: Trump worries that Mueller interview could be a ‘perjury trap’
- The Washington Post: Brett Kavanaugh memo proposed explicit questions for President Bill Clinton
- The Washington Post: Trump speechwriter fired amid scrutiny of appearance with white nationalists
- The Washington Post: RNC deputy finance chair steps down after admitting Trump’s lawyer negotiated settlement between him and pregnant Playboy model
- This Politico headline would be much more meaningful within the next 24 hours: Michael Cohen’s attorney says he’s talking to lawyer who brought down Nixon
Day 579: Tuesday, August 21
Unindicted Cohen-Conspirator
Michael Cohen and Donald Trump (AP)
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer/”fixer” and the RNC’s former deputy finance chairman, has entered into a guilty plea as part of the criminal investigation being conducted by federal investigators in the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Cohen was being probed for over $20 million in bank fraud and violating election law by trying to suppress damaging information about then-candidate Donald Trump.
The guilty plea admits to 8 counts that include bank fraud, tax fraud, and campaign finance violations. Long story short, Michael Cohen has pleaded guilty to criminal conduct that took place on behalf of Donald Trump. Although this plea agreement does not include a cooperation agreement, that does not mean one might not come in the future. As part of the plea, Cohen could face 3-6 years in prison.
Looks like 2 of 8 counts against Michael Cohen specifically have to do with illegal contributions related to the Trump presidential campaign. https://t.co/kzswmJ5d0t
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) August 21, 2018
NEWS: Cohen just described, in court, how he violated campaign finance laws by arranging payment for Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. He said he violated federal law “in coordination with and at the direction of a federal candidate for office” Meaning Trump.
Via @TheLeadCNN
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) August 21, 2018
Perhaps the most significant charge Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to: 1 count of excessive campaign contribution ***at the request of a candidate or a campaign*** https://t.co/iikMXakolA
— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) August 21, 2018
If the @HouseGOP doesn’t, lord knows the 2019 Dem-controlled House will.
This should strike fear in @realDonaldTrump.@GOP spinning hard with the “well, this doesn’t have anything to do with Russia” weak narrative.
It doesn’t have to. These crimes are impeachable on their own. https://t.co/jsebU11Tfr
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 22, 2018
The plea agmt was one thing. But the criminal information, just filed in Court, details Cohen & Trump’s illegal schemes. This is very,very bad for the President. The Q that should be asked now is whether resignation is a better alternative than impeachmenthttps://t.co/Rpn4hGLMjM
— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) August 21, 2018
This has wide-ranging consequences on its own merit, but if Michael Cohen chooses to cooperate with the SDNY or with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, there is much more the President should be worried about.
Page One pic.twitter.com/2DGBxm0GuT
— Inyoung Kang (@inyoungk) August 22, 2018
For a deeper dive into the charges and what Cohen could reveal if he cooperates, read this.
Within minutes of the news of Cohen’s plea, the jury in the trial of former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort reached their verdict.
Manafort was found guilty on 8 counts (5 tax fraud, 2 bank fraud, and 1 of hiding foreign accounts), with verdicts unable to be reached for the remaining 10 counts. Manafort is 69 years old and faces up to 80 years in prison for these convictions.
#BREAKING PAUL MANAFORT GUILTY ON EIGHT COUNTS, INCLUDING BANK FRAUD
Here’s the breakdown: pic.twitter.com/LBY2O3mpeC— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) August 21, 2018
Judge Ellis, who has faced allegations of bias in this trial, declared a mistrial on those 10 counts after the jurors couldn’t come to a consensus.
Manafort’s total felony charges were at 24, with the remaining to be tried in an upcoming DC trial in September.
One of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s objectives in his investigation has long been to flip Paul Manafort into a cooperating witness. But many have speculated that Manafort has not cooperated because he awaits a Trump pardon.
So, what does this indictment mean? To grasp its significance, we have to dive into Manafort’s past. To read more about this, read this.
There were now four Trump associates who have pleaded guilty to felony charges during the Trump presidency and five total convicted felons if you include Paul Manafort. Cohen joins former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, former deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates, and former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos.
In spite of all of this, Fox News continued to defend the President.
Watching @seanhannity and the way he’s trying to spin Michael Cohen implicating @POTUS and Manafort’s convictions is just ridiculous.
Whataboutism.
Distortion.@FoxNews, you are are doing a disservice to this country by airing this dishonest propaganda. https://t.co/Z5LH1vXt1e
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 22, 2018
Just look at this guy.
He just oozes credibility. pic.twitter.com/xJlEgcCQyW
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 22, 2018
In other news…
- Politico: Mueller seeks to push back Flynn sentencing again
- NBC News: Trump plan rolls back Obama’s coal emissions standards
- The New York Times: New Russian Hacking Targeted Republican Groups, Microsoft Says
- McClatchy DC: Trump’s budget chief is trying to protect his home state from tariffs
- The Guardian: Author of Trump-Russia dossier wins libel case in US court
- The Washington Post: Trump adviser Larry Kudlow hosted publisher of white nationalists at his home
- Bloomberg: Trump Security Team to Face Jury for 2015 Attack on Activists
- The Washington Post: Trump threatens clearance of former official after seeing him in heated TV debate
The President of the United States just threatened to revoke Philip Mudd’s security clearance simply because he didn’t like Mudd’s temperament during a debate with Trump supporter Paris Dennard.
This is about stifling dissent. Full stop.
Un-American.https://t.co/6Bght9BZwe
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) August 21, 2018
- Trump held a rally in West Virginia. His crowd chanted “Lock her up!”
At Trump’s rally tonight, watch as his supporters who coined the “lock her up!” chant directed at a woman who wasn’t even charged of any crimes, praise a President who was just named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a criminal conspiracy.
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 21, 2018
Day 580: Wednesday, August 22
“Crimes Aren’t Crimes”
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 24, 2017 (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
On Tuesday I tweeted this.
I’m waiting on the edge of my seat for @realDonaldTrump’s tweet claiming crimes aren’t illegal.
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 21, 2018
On Wednesday, we essentially got a tweet from the President of the United States that claimed just that.
Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
Trump: “Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime.”
First it was “collusion isn’t a crime.”
Then it was “truth isn’t truth.”
Now we’re at the “crimes aren’t crimes” stage.
Federal law says otherwise.https://t.co/Yi4Z7qTHCI
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) August 22, 2018
There isn’t much fact-checking that needs to be done here other than pointing out that the crimes Micahel Cohen pleaded guilty to are indeed…crimes. Also, the Obama campaign violations was a clerical error on the part of the campaign, nothing more.
President Trump also sent out other tweets about Cohen and Manafort.
If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” – make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
In other news…
- NBC News: Michael Cohen willing to share ‘all that he knows’ with Mueller, lawyer says
- The Wall Street Journal:
A personal turning point for Mr. Cohen was a conversation with his father, Maurice Cohen, a Holocaust survivor. Mr. Cohen’s father urged him not to protect the president, saying he didn’t survive the Holocaust to have his name sullied by Mr. Trump, https://t.co/fCPxIE1ujd
— Adam Goldman (@adamgoldmanNYT) August 23, 2018
- The Daily Beast: Trump Denies Telling Cohen to Pay Off Women, Despite Tape
- CNBC: Michael Cohen paid a mysterious tech company $50,000 ‘in connection with’ Trump’s campaign
- Associated Press: New York state subpoenas Cohen in Trump Foundation probe
- CNN: Rep. Duncan Hunter and his wife indicted in use of campaign funds for personal expenses
- Rolling Stone: Steven Tyler Sends Trump Cease-and-Desist Letter For Playing Aerosmith
- Speaking of chickens coming home to roost.
I swear this has been the month of chickens coming home to roost their asses off. https://t.co/ttf1WL1w5Q
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 23, 2018
Day 581: Thursday, August 23
Obstruction
President Donald Trump sits with Attorney General Jeff Sessions during the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony in Quantico, Va. Dec. 15, 2017 (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Thursday started out with President Trump’s interview with Fox & Friends airing. One of the first clips released was President Trump claiming that “flipping,” in other words cooperating with federal investigators, should be outlawed…
President @realDonaldTrump on former associates “flipping” on him to make deals pic.twitter.com/gdIEF8kLuk
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) August 23, 2018
Then, President Trump continued his war with his own attorney general.
Trump hammers Jeff Sessions: “He took the job and then he said, ‘I’m going to recuse myself’ I said, ‘what kind of a man is this?’ And by the way, he was on the campaign. The only reason I gave him the job I felt loyalty.” (via Fox) pic.twitter.com/r9KvpyX033
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 23, 2018
Trump says he chose Sessions as AG because he felt loyalty and again says he wouldn’t have chosen Sessions if he knew he’d recuse
Sessions was nominated in Nov 2016
Trump makes it clear he chose Sessions to protect him from a probe that wasn’t public yet https://t.co/PtqECQj570
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) August 23, 2018
Attorney General Jeff Sessions had a strong response.
? alert — Sessions fires back at Trump after he said he never took control of the Justice Department. “I took control the day I was sworn in…” pic.twitter.com/3WIXSIgoQj
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 23, 2018
What was once a red line for Republicans appears to no longer be one.
BREAKING: Republican Senator Graham says he expects Trump to oust Sessions after midterm elections. Will allow Trump to take control of Mueller investigation. https://t.co/SpKxp3eZDm @StevenTDennis via @bpolitics
— Mike Dorning (@MikeDorning) August 23, 2018
Wow. Everything is on the line this November.
The @GOP will gladly enable Trump to walk us straight into authoritarianism if we don’t put a check on this President. https://t.co/L8avNgdAWF
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 23, 2018
As this was occurring, news of American Media’s David Pecker getting immunity as part of the investigation into Cohen signaled even more bad news for Donald Trump.
NEWS: Federal prosecutors granted immunity to David Pecker, CEO of the publisher of the National Enquirer, in the Cohen investigation. @nicole_hong https://t.co/2nSnmfH4p2
— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) August 23, 2018
NEW YORK (AP) — The National Enquirer kept a safe containing documents on hush money payments and other damaging stories it killed as part of its cozy relationship with Donald Trump leading up to 2016 presidential election, people familiar with the arrangement told The AP.
— Ken Thomas (@KThomasDC) August 23, 2018
In other news…
- ABC News: DNC now says earlier attempt to hack voter database an unauthorized phishing ‘test’
- Yahoo News: White House blocks bill that would protect elections
- The New York Times: Education Secretary Considers Using Federal Funds to Arm Schools
- CNN: Trade war: The US and China just slapped new tariffs on each other
- BBC: South Africa rejects Donald Trump’s tweet on farmer killings
Day 582: Friday, August 24
The Trump Organization’s Reckoning
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pumps his fist as he arrives to speak during a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Manchester, N.H. From left, Eric Trump, Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., Karen Pence, Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Tiffany Trump. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
In what could potentially be one of the most detrimental developments of Trump’s presidency next to Cohen’s plea, depending on what capacity he cooperates, Allen Weisselberg appears to have flipped. NBC News reported:
The longtime chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, was given immunity by federal prosecutors in New York during the course of the Michael Cohen investigation, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.
The news was first reported Friday by The Wall Street Journal.
Weisselberg is “Executive 1” on page 17 of the criminal information filed by prosecutors in the Michael Cohen case, a person with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.
According to prosecutors, Cohen, then Trump’s attorney, sent an invoice to Executive 1, meaning Weisselberg, for “Payment for services rendered for the month of January and February, 2017,” a payment that was really meant to reimburse Cohen for a payment to Stormy Daniels.
Weisselberg then sent the invoice to another Trump Organization executive via e-mail directing him to “Please pay from the Trust. Post to legal expenses. Put ‘retainer for the months of January and February 2017’ in the description.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York declined comment.
Weisselberg, 70, began working for the Trump Organization as an accountant in the 1970s, when President Donald Trump’s father, Fred, ran the company. Weisselberg was also treasurer of the Donald J. Trump Foundation, the president’s charitable organization, which has been sued by the New York attorney general for alleged violations of state law.
The Trump Organization’s longtime CFO Allen Weisselberg has reportedly been granted immunity.
If there’s a history of fraud, tax avoidance, and money laundering…Weisselberg would know.
The walls are closing in on @realDonaldTrump before our eyes.https://t.co/PFWet6tKhi
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) August 24, 2018
In other news…
- President Trump had a few morning tweets, which we responded to.
The @POTUS, once again, directly calls for the AG to investigate his political opponents.
1) Presidents don’t do that, authoritarians do
2) Trump, an unindicted co-conspirator, has no place calling for investigations
3) These tweets are filled with lieshttps://t.co/D5Ob7OIve5
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) August 24, 2018
The Constitution protects free speech
It doesn’t guarantee access to privately-owned platforms to spread that speech
If you are a Nazi, a Russian bot, Alex Jones, or anyone else spreading lies that endanger lives, you’re not entitled to a platform—Period https://t.co/mzX6gmCw5d
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) August 24, 2018
- The New York Times: Trump Organization Could Face Criminal Charges From Manhattan D.A.
- The New York Times: Kremlin Sources Go Quiet, Leaving C.I.A. in the Dark About Putin’s Plans for Midterms
- CNBC: Trump cancels Pompeo trip to North Korea, cites lack of ‘sufficient progress’ on denuclearization
- President Trump’s approval rating took some hits:
18% strong approve??
It is just one poll but I think we may be underestimating the possibility that this whole thing comes crashing down. https://t.co/JX8Ols4ABE
— Adam (@aalali44) August 24, 2018
- Politico: McCain to discontinue medical treatment
Day 583: Saturday, August 25
The Last Republican
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
The ‘Maverick,’ Vietnam War hero, and dignified statesman died at age 81 after his fight with brain cancer. But his legacy of fighting for what he believed in will live on in history. The following is an excerpt from my tribute to John McCain and highlights of his 10 best moments. If you’d like to read them all, check out the full article here.
It was July 28, 2017. There was a lot of commotion. People on Twitter were speculating about the body language of the Senators, searching for any indication of how they might vote. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) remained steadfast in their opposition and voted “no.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) thought he had all of the Republican votes accounted for…except for John McCain’s.
It was 1 in the morning. Some saw McCain huddled with Pence. Then he was with McConnell. And then he was seen talking to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), a conversation Schumer left smiling. Suddenly, Democrats on the Senate floor appeared happy. The American people remained unsure of what would happen next…
McConnell seemed distraught as McCain walked up to the center of the Senate floor. He voted “no,” and walked away…
LOOK BACK: A week after his brain cancer diagnosis, John McCain cast a critical vote to allow debate to begin on legislation to repeal Obamacare. But days later he doomed the bill by voting no, earning Trump’s ire https://t.co/NhiCl1nIac pic.twitter.com/yuikincmMj
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) August 26, 20I18
This was one of the most pivotal moments of 2017, and one of John McCain’s final acts in the Senate. In this one act, he shot down the most significant threat to the Affordable Care Act thus far, helping to save millions from potentially losing their healthcare. It was also a powerful rebuke of President Donald Trump.
Before John McCain began his distinguished career in politics, he served in the military. When fighting in Hanoi, Vietnam in October 1967, his plane was shot down at about 3,500 feet in the air. As his plane spiraled down at 550 miles an hour, McCain ejected. After landing, he was taken as a prisoner of war. This was just the beginning of his story. McCain would go on to be tortured for 5 years, and he never broke. After the Vietnamese found out his father was an Admiral, McCain was offered to leave early: he heroicly declined, noting that others who were there before him should be released before him.
This didn’t impress five-time draft dodger, and then-Candidate, Donald Trump. Trump infamously said McCain was not a war hero and that he only likes “people who weren’t captured.”
McCain responded:
“I think it’s important for Donald Trump to express his appreciation for veterans. What he said about me, John McCain, that’s fine. I don’t require any repair of that. But when he said, ‘I don’t like people who were captured,’ then there’s a body of American heroes, and I’d like to see him retract that statement. Not about me, but about the others.”
That wasn’t the last time McCain would speak out against Trump nor was it the last time he would break with dogma to stand up for what he believed in. McCain’s career is full of moments like this. He was a true patriot.
