By Nick Hughes
Opinion Editor

John McCain is a name that either brings forth intense anger, happiness, or a sense of mystery. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam war, when McCain was captured and held as a prisoner of war (POW) after his aircraft was brought down in 1967. He was a POW for six years and was released from the, according to the John McCain website, “Infamous Hanoi Hilton.”

The current President of the United States, Donald Trump, has taken to insulting McCain at every chance he gets. McCain died on August 25, 2018 from complications related to his brain cancer. As of the writing of this article around eight months have passed since McCain’s passing, but it seems that Trump does not realize this.

Over this past weekend, in what may be his most despicable series of tweets yet, Trump insults McCain. He tweeted about a lot of different topics too, but the McCain one on Saturday rubbed me the wrong way. The tweet in question is about the Dossier that Trump claims McCain leaked. I do not understand, nor do I think I will ever understand why the President of the United States of America is establishing a campaign of hatred towards McCain.

During a press conference, Trump is reported to have said, “I was never a fan of John McCain and I never will be.” Eight months and Trump is still insulting a dead man. This string of tweets targeting McCain over the course of the presidency of Trump are inappropriate and in poor taste.

The insults against McCain started with the war hero tweet and has only escalated since McCain’s passing. Trump has no business insulting anyone, yet he continues to do so. McCain is not the only person Trump attacks, but these attacks sicken me. The late senator died eight months ago, and Trump is letting McCain’s spirit haunt him.

This is not what a President should act like; especially towards the dead. These tweets and comments are disrespectful and ooze of insecurity. Trump is afraid of losing. Not just the election, but his self-perceived popularity. McCain acted with dignity and class, which are traits that the President lacks greatly. It is no great secret that McCain did not like Trump and McCain’s actions proved that time and time again. Trump took these slights from McCain badly and is still throwing a temper tantrum eight months later.

McCain’s legacy for this country is one of services. I do not agree with everything McCain did, but I respected him greatly and I continue to respect his legacy. He served the country for 60 years. Trump is a disservice to the country at large and I do not respect him at all. There is so much that the President does that leaves me scratching my head.

His attacks on the media, the border wall, his staunch denial of calling white nationalism dangerous, his pettiness, his corrupt family, cheating to get elected and many more than that upset me. Trump is no leader; no leader would insult the dead. Trump is a con-man and he will go down in history as such.