There are reports that during Trump's visit to Japan, the White House wanted the U.S. Navy to move a warship named after the late Sen. John McCain “out of sight” to avoid triggering Trump.
A tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the president’s trip, according to photos reviewed by the Journal, and sailors were directed to remove any coverings from the ship that bore its name. "There was a lower level effort to comply with the request but when leadership became aware they ordered the tarp be taken down," a U.S. Navy official later acknowledged. "Navy leadership decided the name should not be obscured."
After the tarp was taken down, a barge was moved closer to the ship, obscuring its name. Sailors on the ship, who typically wear caps bearing its name, were given the day off during Trump’s visit, people familiar with the matter said.
It also appears that sailors from the USS McCain were excluded from Trump’s speech. Other U.S. ships in the area were allowed to send dozens of sailors to the speech, while the McCain sailors not only didn’t get invitations but were turned away when some tried to attend. The sailors on the USS McCain were given the day off, presumably as part of that whole “not hiding the ship” effort.
The report drew outrage from Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain, who has been a frequent political foe of Trump. "Trump is a child who will always be deeply threatened by the greatness of my dads incredible life," McCain tweeted. "There is a lot of criticism of how much I speak about my dad, but nine months since he passed, Trump won't let him RIP. So I have to stand up for him. It makes my grief unbearable."
Trump says he was not involved in decision to hide USS John McCain's name during his Japan visit. "I didn't know a thing about it. I would never have done that." But he said whoever did it was "well meaning."
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