Perception is Reality. And the perception is that he caved because of the backlash.
It shows Trump can be manipulated by the media. And I think the VFW and AL were also manipulated by the media.
My perception is that the White House made it clear that the military honors are because President Trump ordered it. No caving. He made a point. He is Commander in Chief. senator McCain is dead and in need of President Trump’s favor in order to have his dead ego stroked.