Transcript for 'He's dying anyway': WH aide on John McCain

There's outrage over comments a white house aide made about senator John McCain saying his criticism about the CIA director nominee doesn't matter because he's dying. Let's go to our senior congressional correspondent Mary Bruce on capitol hill with more on this and, of course, this is getting a lot of reaction. Reporter: Yeah, robin, that reaction has been one of outrage and swift condemnation. One telling us these are despicable, vile and completely unacceptable. Overnight, swift backlash after a white house aide dismissed senator John McCain's opposition to the president's nominee to lead the CIA saying, it doesn't matter. He's dying anyway. McCain is battling brain cancer. His wife Cindy McCain responding directly to Kelly Sadler tweeting may I remind you my husband has a family, seven children and five grandchildren. McCain's close friend senator Lindsey graham reportedly saying nobody is laughing in the senate. The white house does not deny the comment and has not apologized. But in a statement says we respect senator McCain's service to our nation and he and his family are in our prayers during this difficult time. McCain has come out against trump's pick for CIA director Gina Haspel saying her role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture's immorality is disqualifying. McCain spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and during horrific treatment and cruel conditions, but on fox yesterday retired air force lieutenant general Thomas Mcinerney disparaged his experience during a debate on torture. The fact is John McCain, it worked on John. That's why they call him song bird John. Reporter: But McCain never bent to pressure after being tortured and no evidence that he cooperated with his captors. The host was quick to apologize and said he didn't hear the comment. If I heard what he said the right way I would have pushed back. I didn't. I blew it. Those comments do not reflect how I feel or how this network feels about senator McCain. Reporter: There is another apology he has yet to receive, one from the president who famously questioned his past during the campaign. He's not a war hero. He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured. Reporter: Gina Haspel's trump's pick, is also weighing in and says despite's McCain's opposition to her nomination that I have the utmost respect for senator McCain. How is the senator doing this morning? Reporter: We know he is still at home in Arizona. His good pal Lindsey graham, though, says that McCain appeared better than expected. Stronger than he expected during one of their recent visits. The two discussed plenty of work but also even watched their favorite western movie together. As for that white house staffer Kelly Sadler she has yet to comment publicly although reportedly did give Meghan McCain a call to apologize and Meghan is going to speak out about all this on "The view" later this morning. Oh, I'm sure. Mary -- Michael.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.