Donald Trump's lack of verbal restraint may be why many people like him and why he get's so much media attention, but political pundits suggest his attack on Sen. John McCain could turn the tide against the billionaire - or not.
Trump's characterization of illegal Mexican immigrants as rapists and murderers in his rambling speech announcing his candidacy for president might have killed any other campaign in the cradle, but it appeared to boost Trump to the top of the GOP polls in recent weeks.
But is his attack on McCain, who was shot down during a bombing mission over Hanoi in 1967 and held as a POW until 1973, could be different considering McCain was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008.
"He's not a war hero," Trump said during the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa. "He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured."
The comment immediately triggered talk that Trump had outdone himself, but just as he did with the Mexican backlash, Trump doubled down and defended his controversial statement. He posted a series of tweets that continued his attack on McCain.
One of the reasons I am no fan of John McCain is that our Vets are being treated so badly by him and the politicians. I will fix VA quickly.
-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2015
Why would anybody listen to @MittRomney? He lost an election that should have easily been won against Obama. By the way,so did John McCain!
-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2015
Although the Huffington Post announced that it would relegate Trump stories to its entertainment page, along with the Kardashians, he continues to dominate social media attention, according to Lead Stories' Trendolizer analysis. For a full explanation of that, visit our Campaign 2016 Trendolizer page.
Lead Stories' Trendolizer is keeping a close watch for the hottest trending stories about Trump and his campaign. Scroll down to see the latest.
