Rick Perry Calls On Donald Trump To Step Aside, Says Billionaire ‘Unfit’ To Be President
Republicans who have been eagerly awaiting Donald’s Trump’s demise are starting to smell blood in the water. As previously reported by Inquisitr, the billionaire-turned-presidential candidate is drawing harsh criticism from fellow Republicans in the wake of comments he made earlier today regarding 2012 GOP presidential candidate John McCain. During an on-stage interview at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa, Trump referred to McCain as a “loser” and went on to dispute McCain’s status as a war hero. McCain endured torture as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War and was later decorated with a number of distinctions, including the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
“He’s not a war hero,” Trump said of McCain. “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured. I hate to tell you.”
According to the Washington Times, GOP rival Rick Perry seized on the opportunity to lambast Trump, calling on him to withdraw from the presidential race.
“As a veteran and an American, I respect Senator McCain because he volunteered to serve his country,” said the former Texas Governor. “I cannot say the same of Mr. Trump. His comments have reached a new low in American politics … His attack on veterans make him unfit to be Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, and he should immediately withdraw from the race for President.”
The Republican National Committee also weighed in on Trump’s controversial characterization of McCain, stating that there is “no place” in the party for Trump’s comments.
The Washington Post noted the responses of other Republican candidates, many of whom spoke out against Donald Trump via Twitter.
Enough with the slanderous attacks. @SenJohnMcCain and all our veterans – particularly POWs have earned our respect and admiration.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 18, 2015
Just told a crowd in Sioux City: @SenJohnMcCain is an American hero
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain, like every other POW, went through hell & has earned our respect & gratitude
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 18, 2015
I know @SenJohnMcCain. Senator John McCain is an American hero. Period. Stop.
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero, period.
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) July 18, 2015
With just a few weeks left until the first Republican presidential debate on August 6, it’s something of an open secret that the GOP would rather that Donald Trump not receive the opportunity to turn an evening of spirited discourse into a circus-like spectacle. But as Newsweek reports, it is the Fox Network who will determine which candidates receive invitations to participate in the event. In that respect, the debates become less about politics and more about ratings. Indeed, no matter how inflammatory Donald Trump’s rhetoric might get between now and the first week in August, it’s a safe bet that the outspoken tycoon will be on hand to rattle the cages of his fellow candidates for some time to come.
[Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images]
