Senator McCain generated national headlines by criticizing President Trump over the president’s comments about the left-wing media. 

On NBC's "Meet the Press," McCain twisted Trump's critical comments about the media to claim the president wants to shut down free speech. 

McCain also compared Trump's admonishment of the media to a strategy used by dictators. 

Earlier in the week, McCain said the Trump administration was in "disarray" at a meeting in Germany. 

By attacking Trump, McCain will be the go-to Republican to provide critical comments about the president. 

McCain's anti-Trump effort was challenged by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). 

Paul blasted McCain's senate record regarding foreign affairs and attributed the senator's criticism to a personal dispute between McCain and Trump.

Going forward, look for the media to use McCain as a vehicle to generate dissension among Republicans and hamper Trump's political goals.