Meghan McCain backs Trump on push to retake Panama Canal: ‘Very personal’
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., on Sunday backed President-elect Donald Trump’s call for the United States to retake full control of the Panama Canal.
Trump wrote via Truth Social Saturday the Central American waterway is crucial for U.S. commerce, adding it is in America’s interest to regain control of it. He urged Panamanian officials to cooperate upon his return to the Oval Office.
“When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else,” Trump wrote of the canal. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop.”
McCain, a self-described “political nepo baby,” took to X to back the president-elect’s plan.
Trump is right about the Panama Canal.
This is very personal – my dad was born in the Panama Canal Zone.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 23, 2024
“Trump is right about the Panama Canal,” she wrote. “This is very personal – my dad was born in the Panama Canal Zone.”
McCain, her late father and Trump have long had a tumultuous relationship. Trump’s comments about former Sen. McCain, including claiming he was “not a war hero,” previously stirred bipartisan outrage.
Panama’s conservative president, José Raúl Mulino. rejected Trump’s claim to the canal, saying it threatens his country’s sovereignty. He released a video following Trump’s assertion saying “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to Panama.
“Panamanians may have different views on many issues” Mulino said. “But when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.”
Trump fired back via Truth Social, saying “we’ll see about that!” He also shared an image of the American flag over the canal, which he captioned “welcome to the United States Canal!”
🚨BREAKING: Donald Trump says he may demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States. pic.twitter.com/Jh6zPx4urh
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 21, 2024
The United States built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s as a more efficient shipping route for freighters traveling between the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Former President Jimmy Carter signed a 1977 treaty which relinquished control of the waterway to Panama.
Trump’s promise comes as he continues to outline plans for his second term. He delivered a wide-ranging political address Sunday, during which he vowed to end “transgender insanity” in United States schools.
“We will get critical race theory and transgender insanity the hell out of our schools and we’re going to get it out of our schools very fast,” Trump said, earning cheers from the audience. “I will defend religious liberty, I will restore free speech and I will defend the right to keep and bear arms.
Panama responded to Trump’s tweet about the Panama Canal.
Then Trump responded by renaming the canal with “welcome to the United States Canal”. pic.twitter.com/snYqWnrdM1
— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) December 22, 2024
