BREAKING: Sen. John McCain has passed away at 81

Sen. John McCain’s family announced Friday that he was ending treatment for his brain cancer, so we all knew this moment was coming soon, but perhaps not this soon.

Sen. John McCain, the 2008 GOP presidential nominee who was driven by a code of honor that defined and haunted him, dies at 81 https://t.co/cGYbHZfsdR

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 26, 2018

Daughter Meghan McCain just released the following statement:

I love you forever – my beloved father @SenJohnMcCain pic.twitter.com/Y50tVQvlVe

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) August 26, 2018

The entire McCain family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from around the world. Thank you.

— Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) August 25, 2018

My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2018

Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to the McCain Family. Thank you Senator McCain for your service to the nation.

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 26, 2018

A true American hero. RIP John McCain

1936-2018 pic.twitter.com/cjPszefCPD

— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) August 26, 2018

RIP Sen. McCain.

— Larry O'Connor (@LarryOConnor) August 26, 2018

RIP and prayers for the family. https://t.co/jBS99DIloU

— Ben (@BenHowe) August 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/PatrickMillsaps/status/1033513337622024193

Condolences and prayers to the McCain Family.

Gratitude and respect for John McCain, who served the nation honorably and courageously as a Navy Captain, POW in Vietnam, and US Senator.

May he Rest In Peace.

— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 26, 2018

RIP, @SenJohnMcCain.

A patriot and a man of honor. Political agreements/disagreements aside, this is a profound loss for our nation and our polity.

Grateful for his extraordinary lifelong service. Grieving for my friend @MeghanMcCain & her family.❤️??

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 26, 2018

Requiescat in pace, @SenJohnMcCain. #Navy #Arizona pic.twitter.com/a7lgiCMMRn

— jon gabriel (@exjon) August 26, 2018

Many journalists remember Sen. McCain from his “straight-talk-express” campaign for POTUS in 2000. I prefer to recall his “no surrender” tour that led to his nomination eight years later. He ran on the Iraq surge and he was right. Took guts. He had guts.

— Brit Hume (@brithume) August 26, 2018

RIP John McCain. Everyone but the bitter and vicious salute you. You will always be remembered and appreciated.

— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) August 26, 2018

Rest In Peace, @SenJohnMcCain.

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 26, 2018

RIP John McCain; a true American hero and patriot — in every sense of the American word. He would not accept early release as a POW because of his code of honor. You cannot measure that. It’s just indescribable.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 26, 2018

My heart is heavy today as I join countless Americans across our country in mourning the loss of one of our nation’s greatest leaders and statesmen, one of my personal heroes, @SenJohnMcCain. https://t.co/v4QSWHlLb2

— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) August 26, 2018

An American hero passed away but his legacy will endure. A fighter through and through, @SenJohnMcCain was a patriot and a true American hero. Dexter and I were proud to know him. pic.twitter.com/Zebv1kd0No

— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) August 26, 2018

Rest In Peace John McCain a true maverick and real life American hero. An extraordinary role model who lifted others up around him, was willing to fight to the end no matter the obstacles and loved his family, friends and America to the core. So grateful for his life.

— Reince Priebus (@Reince) August 26, 2018

Today, the nation mourns the loss of a great American patriot. My full statement on the passing of @SenJohnMcCain pic.twitter.com/yKDgnPw6vm

— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) August 26, 2018

We’ve lost a truly courageous leader tonight. John McCain’s integrity and love for our country was boundless. He led with a passion and purpose that we all aspire to. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends this difficult evening.

— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) August 26, 2018

John McCain was my friend and one of my heroes. He devoted his life to duty, honor and country. He shall always be a role model for me.

— Senator Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) August 26, 2018

John McCain was an American hero, a man of decency and honor and a friend of mine. He will be missed not just in the U.S. Senate but by all Americans who respect integrity and independence. Jane and I send our deepest condolences to his family.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 26, 2018

Thank you Sen. John McCain for fighting the good fight! God bless you.

— Mr. T (@MrT) August 26, 2018

In 2012 John McCain saw me wearing a small Combat Infantryman Badge pin on my lapel.
He walked over to me, shook my hand & thanked me for my service. Then we talked for about 10 minutes about my time in Afghanistan. He was so sincere. I will never forget that.
RIP Senator McCain pic.twitter.com/1QCzbtNcSK

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) August 26, 2018

Words cannot express the sorrow I feel at John McCain’s passing. The world has lost a hero and a statesman. Cindy and the McCain family have lost a loving husband and father. I have lost a wonderful friend.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) August 26, 2018

Deeply saddened to hear the news about the passing of Senator John McCain, a great friend of Israel and a great champion of the US-Israel alliance. Condolences to his family and to the American people on the loss of a remarkably courageous soldier and statesman.

— Amb. Ron Dermer (@AmbDermer) August 26, 2018

We honor and remember John McCain for his service to and love for our country. He always had a word of accountability and encouragement.

— Trey Gowdy (@TGowdySC) August 26, 2018

It is a privilege to have known John McCain – to have served with him in the Senate, and to call him a dear friend. John’s fearlessness, his unyielding integrity, and his generosity of spirit truly touched the entire Udall family. We will miss him dearly.

— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) August 26, 2018

John McCain was fiercely devoted to his family, his constituents, and his country. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. As a nation, we all share in the sense of emptiness his passing has left behind.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) August 26, 2018

NEW: Statement from former President Jimmy Carter on the death of Senator McCain. https://t.co/Mql3J9hmNs pic.twitter.com/vnLuvlmdU1

— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) August 26, 2018

John McCain believed that every citizen has a responsibility to make something of the freedoms given by our Constitution, and from his heroic service in the Navy to his 35 years in Congress, he lived by his creed every day. https://t.co/946T7PnG53

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 26, 2018

Senator John McCain was the bravest person I ever met. He was tested in war in unimaginable circumstances and was fearless in public life. He spoke his mind in the face of powerful forces.

— Senator Carl Levin (@SenCarlLevin) August 26, 2018

Our thoughts are with the family of Senator John McCain. He was a good, caring man who loved his country. Thank you Senator. Rest in Peace,

— FOGHAT (@FOGHAT) August 26, 2018

JUST IN: Defense Sec. James Mattis: "On behalf of all of the men and women of the Department of Defense, we will remain forever grateful for the life, the passion, and the example of Senator John McCain." https://t.co/3ZmZHQsHuw pic.twitter.com/8lY4s8AgnQ

— ABC News (@ABC) August 26, 2018

It’s awfully tempting to put Barack Obama’s tribute over in the other post on the worst tributes just for his predictable overuse of “I” and “we,” but we’ll leave it here: