Zerohedge updates the USS McCain fake news story often:
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-05-29/white-house-ordered-uss-john-mccain-be-out-sight-during-trumps-japan-visit
Update 4: CNBC has obtained the purported email which reads in part: "USS John McCain needs to be out of sight."
Two sources confirm to @CNBC that this is the email showing coordinated efforts to put the USS John McCain “out of sight.”
The Pentagon maintains that Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan was unaware of such plans. (H/T @RyanRuggiero) pic.twitter.com/adaZKtp1oE
— Amanda Macias (@amanda_m_macias) May 30, 2019
Update 3: The plot thickens as the Navy's Chief of Information denies that the USS John McCain was obscured during President Trump's visit (and explains that the images used by the media are from the day before the president's visit)…
The name of USS John S. McCain was not obscured during the POTUS visit to Yokosuka on Memorial Day. The Navy is proud of that ship, its crew, its namesake and its heritage.
— Navy Chief of Information (@chinfo) May 30, 2019
That photo is not from the day of the POTUS visit (Monday in Japan, Sunday in US), as the WSJ report itself mentions.
— Navy Chief of Information (@chinfo) May 30, 2019
However, we do note that the Twitter account used to provide this info was last used in 2014 which raised an eyebrow, and furthermore, The Washington Post refuses to let the story go, claiming that administration officials, anonymously sourced of course, have confirmed WSJ's version of the story, that a request was made to make sure the USS John McCain wasn't visible, but WaPo admits that aides confirm that President Trump wasn’t involved in the request (but WaPo adds that the request was made to prevent any potential ire from Trump.)
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Update 2: In an even more clear rejection of the fake news from the 'source' used by WSJ (and 'confirmed' by WaPo), one serviceman speaks up…" I served on the McCain for 2 years. This ship is currently undergoing maintenance, which is why there's scaffolding and protective sheets around it. Also, the ship is named after Senator McCain's father. This is 100% Fake News."
"Fortune favors the brave." pic.twitter.com/FcEnx575MA
— Children Of The Dust (@Me2S3M) May 30, 2019
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Update 1: Just minutes after the WSJ story hit, Trump responded with an tweet, thanksing the military service-members for the "spectacular job" they are doing, but denying the WSJ story: "I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan."
I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan. Nevertheless, @FLOTUS and I loved being with our great Military Men and Women - what a spectacular job they do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2019