On Friday, President Donald Trump declared September 15 "Nation POW/MIA Recognition Day" in honor of American veterans who were captured during battle or are missing in action.
There's only one problem -- in 2015, while he was on the campaign trail, Trump bashed Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for being a prisoner of war.
"[McCain's] a war hero cause he was captured!” Trump said at a July 2015 rally in the senator's home state, Arizona. “I like people that weren’t captured."
On Friday, along with a link to the White House statement about POW/MIA day, Trump tweeted that we should "NEVER forget our HEROES held prisoner or who have gone missing in action while serving their country."
MSNBC called the president's new tune about POWs "awkward" given his past remarks, and others joined in.
"Never forget Donald Trump's declaration that he likes heroes that weren't 'caught,' when referring to John McCain," one Twitter user wrote.
Others still reminded the president of his reputation as a "draft-dodger" for claiming he could not be enlisted due to bone spurs when he was of drafting age.
"From the chief draft dodgers mouth," another Twitter user wrote. "Trump was too chicken to serve."
Check out some of the best reactions below.
White House just declared tomorrow National Prisoner of War/MIA Recognition day. Remember, this what Trump said abt… https://t.co/JgEHpDz1t2— Steadman™ (@Steadman™)1505338763.0
Donald Trump's Bizarro World: He says to never forget our heroes who were held prisoner. Except for John McCain!— Reimagined (@Reimagined)1505503577.0
@mckinley0930 @JUSCVLLMEREDCUH @Steve_6895 @DonnaWR8 @realDonaldTrump Just type Trump mccain into the gif search an… https://t.co/oqB9mRQKaq— wayne (@wayne)1505504579.0
Trump's forgot his insult on John McCain former POW status Please RT ! https://t.co/L5t7nJckpP— Mud Puppy (@Mud Puppy)1505502580.0
@SarahJGreenberg @JohnPaul_USA @sandiazl @realDonaldTrump This might mean something if Trump hasn't dodged the draf… https://t.co/S8lbVSiqM6— Poll Cat (@Poll Cat)1505503125.0
@SenateMajLdr What did Trump say abt POW's? Oh, yeah, now I remember.— P. Tricky (@P. Tricky)1505496625.0
@WhiteHouse Remember when Trump called John McCain, a POW, and those who get caught "losers"?— Facts Matter (@Facts Matter)1505491427.0
ahhh I see trump voters are now saying they hate McCain because he is a "traitor" to excuse their daddy talking shit about POWs.— Frosty Thee Snowman ⛄ (@Frosty Thee Snowman ⛄)1505503774.0
Trump on John McCain in December 2015: "He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like peop… https://t.co/Ckq7VayzEv— Kaitlan Collins (@Kaitlan Collins)1505502493.0
On #POWMIARecognitionDay, let's remember that the Coward-In-Chief has demeaned POW's and veterans, after he took se… https://t.co/aQZDSWKcaW— Donald Trump Toupee (@Donald Trump Toupee)1505486431.0
@realDonaldTrump They aren't heroes, remember? They got caught. Like McCain. #trump #pow— Larry Tacker (@Larry Tacker)1505503506.0
@realDonaldTrump But you Bash John McCain who was A POW. You are A POS! You draft dodger!!— jetsgrrrrl (@jetsgrrrrl)1505503454.0
@RealDonad_Trump Remember you called out McCain for getting captured you 2 faced ass. They should capture you and put you in a padded room— Robert Weisman (@Robert Weisman)1505503294.0
@realDonaldTrump Oh fuck you Trump. You called senator McCain a "loser" for being captured so we know how you reall… https://t.co/9BuwGBEdMB— Tralfaz (@Tralfaz)1505504499.0
I call BS. trump didn't write this. POWs aren't heroes to trump, he said that on TV about McCain. He doesn't like y… https://t.co/uQ52LulyU3— Nuckin Futs (@Nuckin Futs)1505504391.0
@realDonaldTrump Like John McCain! Oh yeah, you don't consider him a hero... sad, Sad, SAD! #FraudPresident #Trump #Loser— Daniel Wear 🇺🇸 (@Daniel Wear 🇺🇸)1505504350.0
@realDonaldTrump You are a sick man Trump. Yes, McCain was taken prisoner. He's one of the POW's. You sir are destr… https://t.co/qTxZSrnUIV— Lynn (@Lynn)1505504149.0
@realDonaldTrump Wait, you said McCain wasn't a hero? ANOTHER example of trump being STUPID! He switches ideas fast… https://t.co/Hun2riky5G— Jack Sawyer (@Jack Sawyer)1505503991.0
