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title: John McCain: Donald Trump Global Leadership Worse Than Obama
description: John McCain said America&#x27;s standing in the world was better under former President Barack Obama than it is now under President Donald Trump.
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article:published_time: 2017-06-12T15:20:55.000Z
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og:title: John McCain Says U.S. Leadership Was Better Under Obama Than Trump
og:description: &quot;They are not sure of American leadership&quot;
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# John McCain Says U.S. Global Leadership Was Better Under Obama Than Trump

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by 

[Emily Weyrauch](https://time.com/author/emily-weyrauch/)


## Emily Weyrauch


Jun 12, 2017 3:20 PM UTC

![Senator John McCain outside the U.S. Capitol.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4ebde2b56ab5e800/6988d1378fd2eecb213577b6/gettyimages-673467348.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Senator John McCain departs the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on April 26.

Senator John McCain departs the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on April 26. Win McNamee—Getty Images

by 

[Emily Weyrauch](https://time.com/author/emily-weyrauch/)


## Emily Weyrauch


Jun 12, 2017 3:20 PM UTC

Arizona Republican Sen. [John McCain](http://time.com/4811311/john-mccain-james-comey-testimony/) said in a new interview that America’s standing in the world was better under [former President Barack Obama](http://time.com/4808883/obama-trudeau-memes/) than it is now under [President Donald Trump](http://time.com/donald-trumps-suite-of-power/).

McCain, Obama’s 2008 opponent who remained a vocal critic during his presidency, [asked by _The Guardian_](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/11/donald-trump-foreign-policy-approach-qatar) whether U.S. standing in the world was better under Obama. “As far as American leadership is concerned, yes,” McCain said.

He was also critical of Trump’s Twitter attacks against London Mayor Sadiq Khan following the recent terrorist attack in the city.

> [](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/871725780535062528)

McCain said Trump sent the message to the [United Kingdom](http://time.com/4709365/london-united-kingdom-parliament-attack-photos-westminster-bridge/) that, “America does not want to lead.”

“They are not sure of American leadership, whether it be in Siberia or whether it be in Antarctica,” McCain said.

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