Trump Alienates Large Sector Of GOP, ‘Handed Ammunition To His Own Firing Squad’

Billionaire Donald Trump is well-known for his bold statements, and some of them have served him well — his rating surged and he was the leading republican contender for president in the polls, beating out Jeb Bush by 3 points, after his edgy statements about immigrants, going as far to say that illegal immigrants from Mexico are committing more crimes than Americans.

A poll showed that a large amount of his fan base are white conservatives who don’t like immigration, same-sex marriage, and feel that tradition has a large place in the United States today. That was a great way to grab a particular section of the Republican party that more moderate Republicans, like Jeb Bush, have been unable to connect with. However, his statement yesterday about former presidential candidate and Vietnam prisoner of war John McCain “not being a war hero” likely angered so many people that it may have permanently destroyed his chances of becoming president of the United States.

In Ames, Iowa, on Saturday, Trump was speaking to a large crowd at the Family Leadership Summit and the talk was meant to inspire and promote Republican party standards. But when Trump commented on Arizona John McCain from Arizona, there was no applause, according to the Associated Press.

“John McCain is not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”

The audience went silent, and then loud boos and jeering filled the auditorium. Senator McCain is likely the most celebrated Prisoner of War alive in the U.S. today, having been a captive for seven years after his helicopter was shot down in Vietnam. Several bones were broken during his initial injury, and then he was subjected to bodily torture that destroyed his rotator cuffs, which is why he cannot hold his arms higher than shoulder-level. This was likely due to being hung by his arms for long periods of time. Even though McCain was ultimately defeated in the 2008 presidential race, and many of his views or voting records have been questioned, not even Democrats ever dared to denounce his war hero status.

The GOP responded fast and hard. Governor Rick Perry tweeted directly to Donald Trump.

“@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero & all POW’s deserve our nation’s highest debt of gratitude. @realDonaldTrump‘s comments are disgraceful.”

Many other Republicans flooded social media with support of McCain and anger at Trump’s statements. Even later, Trump did not apologize, although he did try to explain what he meant and that he was misinterpreted, which many called “backpedaling.”

“If a person is captured, they’re a hero as far as I’m concerned. I don’t like the job John McCain is doing in the Senate because he is not taking care of our veterans. John McCain talks a lot… but he doesn’t do anything. I’m not blaming John McCain that he was captured. If he gets captured, he gets captured. Why wouldn’t I like people who don’t get captured? I shouldn’t respect people who don’t get captured?”

He then apparently told a reporter, “Go back to being a pundit.”

Cary Gordon, an evangelical pastor from Sioux City, said that Trump’s popularity had been surging in Iowa for weeks prior to that comment, and Republicans were delighted with his accessibility and views. However, after his comment on John McCain, Gordon said, “Donald Trump probably handed ammunition to his own firing squad today.”

Other Republican candidates were outraged, as well, and will no doubt be using his comments to broaden their appeal. Traditionally, nearly all United States citizens, regardless of party affiliation, hold American prisoners of war as persons of honor. The Republican party traditionally touts for more military and is usually verbally supportive of American troops, past or present.

What do you think — did Trump kill his bid for president? Sound off in the comments section below.

[Photo by ABC News]