The following article by Eric Garcia was posted on the Roll Call website August 26, 2018:
President went from supporting McCain to trashing him to refusing to acknowledge him
President Donald Trump’s tweet sending condolences after Sen. John McCain’s death bookended a relationship that began with support but ended with contempt.
Trump tweeted that his “deepest sympathies and respect go out” to the Arizona Republican’s family.
Donald J. Trump✔@realDonaldTrump
My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
But just a few weeks before McCain’s death, Trump did not mention him when signing the defense authorization bill that bore the senator’s name.