Melania Trump Agreed ‘John McCain Isn’t A War Hero,’ Former Aide Says

Former Trump campaign manager Cory Lewandowski said that Melania Trump shared her husband’s low opinion of John McCain‘s war record.

Donald Trump‘s 2016 presidential campaign faltered when he took the stage at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, and insulted late Arizona Sen. John McCain’s service history. Trump told moderator Frank Luntz, “He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”

The former president continued his attack on the 2008 Republican presidential candidate until his death in 2018 from brain cancer. He was not invited to McCain’s funeral, even though former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who both delivered eulogies, were.

Lewandowski spoke to Insider about the former first lady’s opinions of the late politician. He recalled that, after the infamous GOP event, Trump met up with Melania in New Jersey. He was under a lot of pressure from political pundits and conservative talk-show hosts who wanted him to apologize, believing that Trump’s campaign was over. His wife, however, disagreed.

According to Lewandowski, “As we walked in the door, Mrs. Trump was waiting for us. She said: ‘You’re right. John McCain isn’t a war hero. What he has done for the veterans has been shameful.'”

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer who worked on the 2016 presidential campaign, previously said that Melania wasn’t shy about sharing he opinions with her husband.

He said, “Melania played a very limited role during the campaign not believing Donald would actually win. However, when directly asked for her opinion on a matter by Donald, she offered it readily.”

Melania’s office has denied the claims made by Lewandowski.

After McCain’s death, Melania tweeted, “Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to the McCain Family. Thank you Senator McCain for your service to the nation.”

A day later, her husband wrote, “My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!”