Meghan McCain Says ‘America Was Always Great’ During Hopeful Eulogy at John McCain’s Funeral

Meghan McCain showed courage and strength reminiscent of her father this morning, when she delivered an emotional but empowering eulogy at John McCain’s funeral in Washington, D.C.

McCain remembered her father as an American hero, devoted to serving his country and family. Fighting back tears, she mourned the loss of “American greatness,” and referred to Senator McCain as, “the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who live lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.”

McCain’s pointed comments were in clear reference to President Donald Trump, who was not named during the eulogy and was not in attendance. People reports that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were among the mourners at the funeral.

The View host went on to describe the country her father loved, making another dig at Trump. “The America of John McCain is generous and welcoming and bold,” Meghan said. “She is resourceful and confident and secure. She meets her responsibilities, She speaks quietly because she is strong. America does not boast because she has no need to. The America of John McCain has no need to be great again because America was always great.”

Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were in attendance and also delivered eulogies at the request of Senator McCain. During his eulogy, Obama recalled memories with McCain during the 2008 election and throughout his presidency. “We laughed with each other and we learned from each other,” he said and “never doubted” that “when all was said and done we were on the same team.”

Obama also seemed to reference Trump in his eulogy, as he urged Americans to follow Senator McCain’s lead and political attitude. “So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insults and phony controversies and manufactured outrage,” Obama said. “It is a politics that pretends to be brave, and tough, but in fact is born fear. John called on us to be bigger and better than that.”

Saying his final goodbyes to his friend and colleague, Obama expressed gratitude for McCain’s legacy. “That’s perhaps how we honor him best, by recognizing that there are some things bigger than party or ambition,” he said. “At his best, John showed us what that means. For that, we are all deeply in his debt.”