The White House asked the U.S. Navy to make sure a warship named for late Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainThe Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' Cindy McCain: Trump allegedly calling war dead 'losers' was 'pretty much' last straw before Biden endorsement MORE (R-Ariz.) would be "out of sight" ahead of President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's visit to Japan over the weekend, according to an email obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

The email, dated May 15, included an outline of plans for the president's arrival, including instructions for the ship.

“USS John McCain needs to be out of sight,” the email reportedly read. “Please confirm #3 will be satisfied."

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Officials, including acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Patrick Michael ShanahanHouse Armed Services chairman expresses confidence in Esper amid aircraft carrier coronavirus crisis Boeing pleads for bailout under weight of coronavirus, 737 fallout Esper's chief of staff to depart at end of January MORE, were aware of the concern about the USS John McCain and approved measures so it would not be visible during Trump's visit, an official told the Wall Street Journal. The ship was originally named after McCain's father and grandfather, with the youngest McCain joining the namesakes in 2018.

The ship has been stationed at the Yokosuka Naval Base near the USS Wasp, where Trump delivered Memorial Day remarks and visited U.S. officers. The Journal also reported that sailors on the ship, who normally wear caps with its name, were given the day off when Trump gave his address.

The White House directed The Hill to statements made by Trump Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Later Wednesday, The Washington Post reported an anonymous White House senior aide said they did not want the destroyer in photographs and though Trump was not involved in the planning the request was made to keep him from being upset during the visit.

A senior Navy official confirmed to the Post someone from the White House sent the request to officials in the Pacific. A tarp was hung Friday obscuring the ship's name — and photographs taken of it — but senior Navy officials ordered the covering removed on Saturday, before the president arrived, the official told the Post.

A Navy official also said the crew of the USS John S. McCain was released from duty due to the holiday weekend, along with sailors from another ship.

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Late Wednesday evening, Trump responded to the report on Twitter, writing that he had not been informed about the decision.

"I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan," Trump wrote in the tweet. "Nevertheless, @FLOTUS and I loved being with our great Military Men and Women - what a spectacular job they do!"

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

McCain's daughter and "The View" co-host Meghan McCain Meghan Marguerite McCainKasich to Meghan McCain: Concern over abortion 'dwarfed' by need to beat Trump Meghan McCain says she believes report Trump called fallen soldiers 'losers' Meghan McCain hits Ivanka Trump's defense of president's Twitter: It's not a 'communication style,' it's 'cruelty' MORE also weighed in after the report was published on Wednesday, calling Trump "a child."

Trump is a child who will always be deeply threatened by the greatness of my dads incredible life. There is a lot of criticism of how much I speak about my dad, but nine months since he passed, Trump won't let him RIP. So I have to stand up for him.



It makes my grief unbearable. https://t.co/gUbFAla1VE — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) May 30, 2019

Trump visited two military outfits to cap off his weekend trip to Japan. The president then met with U.S. troops aboard the USS Wasp, where he wished them a "very happy Memorial Day."

Over the course of his roughly 30-minute visit, Trump critiqued plans to change the design of some aircraft carriers' catapults, recounted his trip to Japan and praised those aboard for their service.

Trump and McCain feuded on and off, and Trump has repeated his criticism of the late Arizona lawmaker even after his death.

In March, Trump ramped up his criticism of McCain, accusing him of handing a dossier of explosive claims about Trump’s ties to Russia to the FBI for “very evil purposes.”