Arizona Sen. John McCain on Wednesday was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor following a blood clot removal above his left eye on July 14.
His doctors said McCain has glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer, the Associated Press reported. He and his family are reviewing further treatment.
The internet has since erupted with an outpouring of support for McCain, whom many refer to as a “fighter” and whom his daughter says is the “toughest person she knows.”
President Donald Trump said McCain has “always been a fighter,” and he and First Lady Melania Trump “send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, [his wife] Cindy, and their entire family. Get well soon.”
(Twitter)
McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain, put out a moving statement.
“[…] Now we live with the anxiety about what comes next,” she wrote. “It is an experience familiar to us, given my father’s previous battle with cancer – and families whose loved ones are also stricken with the tragedy of disease and the inevitability of age.”
“It won’t surprise you to learn that in all this, the one of us who is the confident and calm is my father,” she continued. “He is the toughest person I know. The cruelest enemy could not break him. The aggressions of political life could not bend him. So he is meeting this challenge as he has every other.”
“Cancer may afflict him in many ways; but it will not make him surrender,” she added. “Nothing ever has.”
(Twitter)
Support and encouragement poured in from both sides of the aisle.
Former President Barack Obama said: “John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I’ve ever known. Cancer doesn’t know what it’s up against. Give it hell, John.”
(Twitter)
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted: “Karen & I are praying for [Senator McCain]. Cancer picked the wrong guy. John McCain is a fighter & he’ll win this fight too. God bless!”
(Twitter)
Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said: “[Senator McCain] is a hero, a patriot and a fighter. I am privileged to call him a friend. Paul & I pray for his recovery and his family.”
(Twitter)
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren recalled a trip only two weeks ago with McCain.
“Just 2 weeks ago, [Senator McCain] & I were trekking thru Pakistan & Afghanistan. Trust me, John’s in fighting shape & we’re rooting for him.”
(Twitter)
Former Alaskan Governor and Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin tweeted: “John McCain is one tough fighter – we know he’ll face this diagnosis with courage and strength.”
(Twitter)
Former Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords said to “hang in there.”
“You’re tough,” she exclaimed. “You can beat this. Fight, fight fight! I am proud to call you my friend.”
(Twitter)
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said McCain “is an American hero. I pray for him and his family. I look forward to seeing him soon.”
(Twitter)
Perhaps Republican Paul Ryan, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said it best when he tweeted: “[Senator McCain] has always been a warrior. It’s who he is. All of us, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans, are behind him.”
(Twitter)
McCain’s office also released a statement:
“Senator McCain appreciates the outpouring of support he has received over the last few days. He is in good spirits as he continues to recover at home with his family in Arizona. He is grateful to the doctors and staff at Mayo Clinic for their outstanding care, and is confident that any future treatment will be effective. Further consultations with Senator McCain’s Mayo Clinic care team will indicate when he will return to the United States Senate.”
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