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 McCain — an actual POW pic.twitter.com/WCTdo2NTQl
— Astead (@AsteadWesley) September 13, 2017
Donald Trump's Bizarro World: He says to never forget our heroes who were held prisoner. Except for John McCain!
— Reimagined (@FWreimagined) September 15, 2017
Just type Trump mccain into the gif search and never let him forget pic.twitter.com/NXSu4zJuHj
— wayne (@WayneUnFiltered) September 15, 2017
Trump's forgot his insult on John McCain former POW status Please RT ! https://t.co/L5t7nJckpP
— Mud Puppy (@TeodoroCruz32) September 15, 2017
This might mean something if Trump hasn't dodged the draft & then shit on McCain for being a POW
— Poll Cat (@gato_danger) September 15, 2017
What did Trump say abt POW's? Oh, yeah, now I remember.
— P. Tricky (@ptrckhopping) September 15, 2017
Remember when Trump called John McCain, a POW, and those who get caught "losers"?
— Facts Matter (@FactsMatter6) September 15, 2017
ahhh I see trump voters are now saying they hate McCain because he is a "traitor" to excuse their daddy talking shit about POWs.
— Princess Tomato (@shimchangmin) September 15, 2017
And everyone today will be reminding you of Trump's first impression of POWs — "I like people who weren’t captured.” #McCain
— Alexander Vanderpool (@texasrayray) September 15, 2017
Trump on John McCain in December 2015: "He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” https://t.co/W02S2jEBFc
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) September 15, 2017
On #POWMIARecognitionDay, let's remember that the Coward-In-Chief has demeaned POW's and veterans, after he took several draft deferments pic.twitter.com/bRB2tBKtGy
— Donald Trump Toupee (@TrumpeeToupee) September 15, 2017
They aren't heroes, remember? They got caught. Like McCain. #trump #pow
— Larry Tacker (@larrytacker) September 15, 2017
But you Bash John McCain who was A POW. You are A POS! You draft dodger!!
— jetsgrrrrl (@jetgrrrrl) September 15, 2017
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 (@buddysnapple) September 15, 2017
Oh fuck you Trump. You called senator McCain a "loser" for being captured so we know how you really feel about POWs. Fuck you fake president
— Tralfaz (@Tralfaz1) September 15, 2017
How did you feel when Trump disrespected John McCain's service and his time as a POW?
— Nick Murica (@NicholasHeurich) September 15, 2017
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 you if you captured. https://t.co/qrwZTAWFv1
— Nuckin Futs (@nochance56) September 15, 2017
Like John McCain!
Oh yeah, you don't consider him a hero… sad, Sad, SAD!#FraudPresident #Trump #Loser
— Daniel Wear 🇺🇸 (@drwear) September 15, 2017
You are a sick man Trump. Yes, McCain was taken prisoner. He's one of the POW's. You sir are destroying our country. U r a disgusting man.
— Lynn (@LynnKatlvr) September 15, 2017
Wait, you said McCain wasn't a hero? ANOTHER example of trump being STUPID! He switches ideas faster then a tornado! IMPEACH THIS NON-HERO!
— Jack Sawyer (@JMSawyer1953) September 15, 2017
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