Donald Trump Mocked Both John McCain, Who Is Dying, and George H.W. Bush, Who Just Lost His Wife, at Montana Rally

President Donald Trump again faces heavy criticism for his comments at a campaign rally Thursday night about cancer-stricken U.S. Senator John McCain and former President George H.W. Bush, who recently lost his wife of 73 years, Barbara.

Before thousands at the Montana rally, Trump did not mention either leader by name but chided McCain for his vote against the president's repeal-and-replace measure for Obamacare last year.

Trump also bashed a common campaign slogan of Bush's, a "thousand points of light," which was a call for volunteerism and symbolized diversity around the country. The current commander-in-chief said he never understood the phrase.

"Thousand points of light," Trump said. "What does that mean? I know one thing: Make America Great Again we understand. Putting America first we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one. What the hell is that? Has anyone ever figured that one out? It was put out by a Republican wasn't it."

McCain announced he had been diagnosed with brain cancer a year ago, and he famously shot down the Obamacare repeal on the Senate floor despite his life-threatening disease.

Trump's barely veiled bashing of McCain was not new, but taking on the elder, 94-year-old Bush represented a new attack. A former press secretary for George W. Bush, Ari Fleischer, who has often defended Trump from the media and other critics, said the comments were "rude."

"This is so uncalled for. Going after a 94-year-old, former President's promotion of volunteerism. I don't mind potus being a fighter. I do mind him being rude," Fleischer wrote.

This is so uncalled for. Going after a 94-year-old, former President’s promotion of volunteerism. I don’t mind potus being a fighter. I do mind him being rude. https://t.co/Hr0d20Wuzz

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) July 6, 2018

The elder Bush lost his wife Barbara in April, and President Trump did not attend the funeral service, unlike past presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The first lady, Melania Trump, did attend.

Trump also used his bully pulpit to deride Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and again refer to her as "Pocahontas," while suggesting a DNA test be conducted to prove her heritage.

The Bushes have previously criticized Trump. In a book released in November, the elder Bush labeled Trump a "blowhard" and said he had voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. The younger Bush said he voted for "none of the above"

"I don't like him," George H.W. Bush said in an interview for the book. "I don't know much about him, but I know he's a blowhard. And I'm not too excited about him being a leader."

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President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Four Seasons Arena on July 5, 2018 in Great Falls, Montana. President Trump held a campaign style 'Make America Great Again' rally in Great Falls, Montana... Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

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