‘This Week’ Transcript: Donald Trump

— -- THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT FOR "THIS WEEK" ON JULY 19, 2015.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Starting right now on ABC THIS WEEK, Trump firestorm -- what he's saying now that has some Republicans demanding he drop out.

Did he just go too far?

Donald Trump is here live to respond.

And terror in Tennessee -- the race this morning to find out more about the gunman and new details about his trip overseas and his troubled family life.

Did authorities miss any warning signs?

Plus, nuclear reaction -- Israel calls it a "historic mistake." John Kerry is here to defend the deal.

From ABC News, THIS WEEK WITH GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS begins now.

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MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC HOST: Good morning. I'm Martha Raddatz.

So many stories developing right as we come on the air.

But we start off with Donald Trump's latest campaign firestorm shocking up the 2016 race. His new comments about Vietnam veteran John McCain's war record sparking a bipartisan backlash.

Donald Trump will join us live momentarily.

First, ABC's Cecilia Vega on the new uproar.

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CECILIA VEGA, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Donald Trump is at it again, unleashing his latest political firestorm on a new target -- this time, John McCain.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He's not a war hero.

VEGA: Trump in Iowa going directly after the Arizona senator and former Navy fighter pilot who spent five-and-a-half years as a POW during the Vietnam War.

TRUMP: He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured, OK, I hate to tell you.

VEGA: And the reaction from fellow Republicans, fast and fierce. Nearly every GOP challenger running for the White House firing back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When it comes to attacking an American hero, I'm going to call it out. I denounce Donald Trump for that.

GOV. RICK PERRY (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was highly offended what Donald Trump said about John McCain and his years of sacrifice.

VEGA: Democrats pouncing, too.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: There's nothing funny about the hate he is spewing, the insults he's directed at a genuine war hero.

VEGA: Senator McCain so far staying silent, but his daughter Meghan took to Twitter, saying she is "horrified, designated. There are no words."

This is just the latest controversy for the brash billionaire.

TRUMP: They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists and some, I assume, are good people.

VEGA: McCain saying recently those fiery comments on Mexico fired up the crazies. That statement apparently igniting this now very public feud.

But the controversies don't seem to be hurting "the Donald." The latest Fox News Poll showing Trump surging to the head of the pack and overnight Trump doubling down, saying once again that he will not apologize, writing, "I am not a fan of John McCain because he has done so little for our veterans."

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VEGA: And even the Republican National Committee lashed out at Trump, saying, quote, "There is no place in our party or our country for comments that disparage those who have served honorably."

Some now predicting, Martha, this could be the beginning of the end for Trump's candidacy.

RADDATZ: Thanks very much, Cecilia.

And let’s get straight to Donald Trump who joins us right now on the phone for his first interview since those controversial comments.

Thanks for joining us, Mr. Trump.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Good morning.

RADDATZ: Do you owe John McCain an apology?