Dad of cancer survivor DJ Daniel, 13, slams Rachel Maddow for calling Trump's tribute to son 'disgusting'

WASHINGTON, DC: Father of Devarjaye 'DJ' Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer survivor who was appointed as an honorary Secret Service agent by Donald Trump, has called out Rachel Maddow after she criticized the tribute.

The MSNBC host reportedly branded the president's noble act as “disgusting” on 'The Rachel Maddow Show’.

During her show, Maddow said, “For the record – and this is disgusting – the president made a spectacle out of praising a young man who’s thus far survived pediatric cancer – as if the president had something to do with that.”

Devarjaye 'DJ' Daniel’s dad slams Rachel Maddow

The teenager’s father, Theodis Daniel, who is not in a mood for Rachel Maddow's “bad energy,” slammed the TV anchor and said, “She needs to shut her mouth if she has nothing nice to say," The New York Post.

“This lady didn’t even serve time in the military. I was on the USS Kitty Hawk. She does not need to put her bad energy on us,” he added.

Theodis also revealed that his family was contacted by the White House and told that the Republican leader “wants to meet Devarjaye.” He shared, “They flew us out, and FBI agents picked us up at the airport.”

Devarjaye 'DJ' Daniel and his father attended Donald Trump’s Congress address

After Devarjaye was sworn in by border czar Tom Homan, the child and his father, a former Navy machinist’s mate and fireman, were invited to attend Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4.

The 47-year-old said, “We sat next to Mr Elon [Musk], the first lady was in front of us and [FBI Director] Kash Patel was at my son’s right shoulder. The first lady was nice, sweet, down to earth. Mr Elon shook hands with us.”

Devarjaye was only six years old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018.

His mother, Demitra Johnson, told the outlet, “His body stiffened, and suddenly he was foaming at the mouth. We rushed him to the hospital.”

Devarjaye 'DJ' Daniel’s aunt praises him

After a CAT scan, it was discovered that Devarjaye 'DJ' Daniel had Stage 3 brain cancer and was told he would live for only five months, but with continuous treatment, he has made it till here, his mother said.

She further recalled, “I was crying; I remember yelling at his dad to do something. I thought he could fix it.”

Devarjaye’s aunt Jane added, “Devarjaye has overcome the odds. It’s all in who you are inside. I think God has given a tough battle to a good one. I believe that God is looking out for him and making sure that the right hands are touching him.”