Following the passing of Senator John McCain on 25 August, PBS America has announced the re-airing of their FRONTLINE documentary exploring the life and career of the senator.
McCain, which first premiered in the UK in July, examines McCain’s complicated relationship with both the Republican Party and President Trump, who famously said of the Vietnam veteran, “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured, OK?”
From shocking his colleagues as he cast the decisive vote to stop Trump’s attempt to repeal ‘Obamacare’, to choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate when he ran for president in 2008, McCain’s actions often divided political opinion. While many applaud his maverick moves, others rue the day he opened the door to the ultra-conservatives that brought Trump to power.
A respected Vietnam veteran or a political opportunist determined to dance to the beat of his own drum, regardless of the consequences? FRONTLINE explores the contradictions in McCain on Saturday 1 September at 4:50 and Monday 3 September at 9pm.
PBS America is available on Freeview 94, Freesat 155, Virgin Media 276 and Sky 160.