Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainMcSally says current Senate should vote on Trump nominee Say what you will about the presidential candidates, as long as it isn't 'They're too old' The electoral reality that the media ignores MORE (R-Ariz.) says would-be Republican presidential candidates "see weakness" in President Trump.

"They see weakness in this president," McCain told The New York Times for a story on Republicans potentially eyeing 2020. "Look, it's not a nice business we're in."

That perceived weakness, the Times reported, has cast a shadow of uncertainty on the president's hopes for reelection in 2020, especially as some high-profile Republicans appear to be taking early steps toward potentially mounting their own campaigns.

ADVERTISEMENT

To be sure, McCain and Trump do not have a particularly close relationship. The Arizona Republican spoke critically of Trump when he was still an insurgent candidate and has not been shy to buck the president's agenda on key policy issues.

McCain's willingness to split with his party – and in turn Trump – was on full display last week when he joined two of his GOP colleagues in voting down a so-called "skinny" ObamaCare repeal bill.

McCain also took aim at Trump on Thursday over his handling of the war in Afghanistan, saying his administration like previous ones had failed to provide a cohesive strategy.

“I urge the President to resolve the differences within his administration as soon as possible and decide on a policy and strategy that can achieve our national security interests in Afghanistan and the region," McCain said in a statement.