News Digest

Trump taunts rival McCain: You’re only a war hero because you got caught

Republican presidential contender Donald Trump has criticised Senator John McCain’s war record, saying the former prisoner in North Vietnam was only considered a hero because he was captured. At a gathering of religious conservatives in Ames, Iowa, the real estate mogul made his controversial comment when the event’s host, Frank Luntz, used the words “war hero” to describe Sen McCain. "He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured,“ said Mr Trump, who has risen to the top of opinion polls. His response drew some boos from the audience - and quick condemnation from rivals.

I supported McCain for president. He lost and let us down… I’ve never liked him as much after that. I don’t like losers.

Republican presidential contender Donald Trump

Mr Trump was among 10 Republican hopefuls vying to represent the party in the November 2016 presidential election who attended the event. At a news conference later, Mr Trump backed away from his comments, but he criticised Sen McCain for failing to do enough in the Senate for military veterans. But Wisconsin governor Scott Walker said Mr McCain, who spent more than five years in a Hanoi prisoner of war camp after his plane was shot down, was clearly a hero. Former Texas governor Rick Perry called the remarks "disgraceful”, while former Florida governor Jeb Bush tweeted “enough with the slanderous attacks”.