President Trump called Sen. John McCain to wish him well after the Arizona Republican was diagnosed with brain cancer, the White House confirmed on Thursday.
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McCain’s office revealed his diagnosis on Wednesday, days after the longtime senator underwent a minimally invasive surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye.
After that procedure, McCain’s doctors determined that the blood clot was associated with a tumor known as a glioblastoma — a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer.
In the hours after news of his diagnosis was made public, McCain, 80, received an outpouring of support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and from both Trump and former President Obama.
“Senator John McCain has always been a fighter,” Trump said in a statement. “[First lady] Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. Get well soon.”
Trump and McCain have not always been allies. Trump during his campaign criticized McCain for becoming a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. And McCain withdrew his endorsement of Trump as the Republican presidential nominee in October 2016.
The White House did not provide addition details of the phone call between Trump and McCain, including how long it lasted.
-This report was updated at 4:48 p.m.