Well, Donald Trump has done it again.
The divisive businessman-turned-Republican presidential nominee contender has come under serious fire for recent comments he made about Arizona Sen. John McCain.
“He was a war hero because he was captured,” Trump said during a Family Leadership Summit in Iowa on Saturday, according to Politico. “I like people who weren’t captured.”
Trump has a running feud with McCain partly because of his comments on immigration. The senator has long been a supporter of immigration reform, and reportedly claimed that Trump's remarks during a rally in Arizona earlier this month "fired up the crazies."
Later on Saturday, the reality TV personality seemed to backtrack on his remarks about captured soldiers, following the controversy.
Captured or not, all our soldiers are heroes!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2015
However, Trump did not back down from his criticisms of McCain:
In addition to doing a lousy job in taking care of our Vets, John McCain let us down by losing to Barack Obama in his run for President!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2015
He also issued a statement on Facebook Saturday afternoon, further condemning the Arizona senator.
"I am not a fan John McCain because he has done so little for our veterans, and he should know better than anybody what the veterans need," he wrote. "He is yet another all talk, no action politician who spends too much time on television, and not enough time doing his job and helping the vets."
McCain was held captive as a prisoner of war for 5-and-a-half years during the Vietnam War. The 2008 Republican presidential nominee was awarded a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star, among other honors.
Trump's comments have been met with disdain by fellow Republicans vying for nomination and public figures alike:
.@SenJohnMcCain served w honor&courage-proud to call him a friend. GOP voters deserve better than outrageous statements & personal attacks.— Carly Fiorina (@CarlyFiorina) July 18, 2015
John McCain is an American hero. Although we have some policy disagreements, I'm proud to serve alongside him.— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 18, 2015
America’s POWs deserve much better than to have their service questioned by the offensive rantings of Donald Trump— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 18, 2015
John McCain is an American hero. I have nothing but respect for his service to our country.— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 18, 2015
After Donald Trump spends six years in a POW camp, he can weigh in on John McCain's service— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 18, 2015
Stop #2 Walker in Sioux City, responds to Trump comments on John McCain. Walker says McCain is an "American Hero". pic.twitter.com/rfG1ahVSRW— Sean Gallitz (@seangallitz) July 18, 2015
Enough with the slanderous attacks. @SenJohnMcCain and all our veterans - particularly POWs have earned our respect and admiration.— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 18, 2015
As a fellow veteran I respect @SenJohnMcCain because he volunteered to serve his country. I cannot say the same about Mr. @realDonaldTrump.— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) July 18, 2015
At the heart of @realDonaldTrump statement is a lack of respect for those who have served - a disqualifying characteristic to be president— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 18, 2015
I hope this becomes Donald Trump's "Have you no shame?" Joe McCarthy moment, where the drunken idiot begins a long slide to disgrace— Ed Bott (@edbott) July 18, 2015
Trump comments -more than any other- will likely haunt him in a GOP primary, where backing troops/vets is paramount https://t.co/IequIqM2qR— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) July 18, 2015
Donald Trump on John McCain: "Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured. Perhaps he's a war hero."— Reid J. Epstein (@reidepstein) July 18, 2015
Now Trump is attacking war heroes. He should have stuck with attacking carny trash like me. At least that's safe— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) July 18, 2015
If you told me in 08 that I'd be defending McCain from Trump on Twitter, I'd call you crazy. I'd also ask what Twitter was. But here we are.— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 18, 2015
To my surprise as much as anyone's, I rise in defense of John McCain. Trump is a primo shitbag.— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) July 18, 2015
MORE - on @SenJohnMcCain There is no place in our party or our country for comments that disparage those who have served honorably,— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) July 18, 2015
The difference between @SenJohnMcCain and @realDonaldTrump: Trump shot himself down. McCain and American veterans are true heroes.— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 18, 2015
I don't always see eye to eye with @SenJohnMcCain. But I honor his service and the sacrifices he made for our country.— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 18, 2015