A White House official dismissed a view expressed by Sen John McCain about President Donald Trump's CIA nominee, saying at a staff meeting that "it doesn't matter" because "he's dying anyway," two people in the room told The Associated Press.
Kelly Sadler was discussing McCain's opposition to Trump's pick for CIA director, Gina Haspel, when she made the comment, according to the two people, who described feeling shocked and stunned by the remark.
They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door communications staff meeting.
The White House did not dispute the remark. In a statement, they said, "We respect Senator McCain's service to our nation and he and his family are in our prayers during this difficult time."