Trump ‘not told’ of order to hide USS John Mccain

DONALD TRUMP has denied he was aware of any effort to keep the naval warship USS John Mccain out of his sight during his recent visit to Japan.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that an order had been received to keep the destroyer away from the president during his Memorial Day speech in Yokosuka, before being dropped.

Citing an email between US military officials, The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House wanted the US Navy to move the ship, rededicated after the death last year of Mccain, an Arizona senator, “out of sight”.

Mr Trump had fought long-running battles with Mccain on a variety of topics and kept up his attacks even after the former presidential candidate died.

The email to navy and air force officials had several directives including: “USS John Mccain needs to be out of sight,”. It asked them to “please confirm” the directive “will be satisfied.”

The newspaper said a tarpaulin was hung over the ship’s name ahead of Mr Trump’s trip. It also said sailors assigned to the ship, who generally wear caps bearing its name, were given time off during Mr Trump’s visit to USS Wasp, moored nearby. However, the US official said sailors were given the day off because of Memorial Day.

Mr Trump wrote on Twitter: “I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. Mccain during my recent visit to Japan.”

Cdr Clay Doss, of the navy’s Seventh Fleet, said the tarpaulin was removed before Mr Trump visited. “All ships remained in normal configuration during the President’s visit,” he said. The White House declined to comment.

The ship was originally named after Mr Mccain’s father and grandfather, who were both US navy admirals.