Mr McCain a former presidential candidate and Vietnam war hero, has been undergoing treatment for glioblastoma, a rare brain cancer, since his diagnosis last year.

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Earlier, McCain had said he does not want Trump to attend his funeral.

Instead, his associates have requested Vice President Mike Pence be present for the ceremony when the time comes, with former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush giving eulogies at the National Cathedral in Washington, according to the New York Times.

Sadler is a special assistant to the president. She did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday evening.