The Republican party created the Trump presidency by embracing the Tea Party. They cynically stirred up the hate, and tried to harness it, but it spiraled out of their control with the likes of Cruz and Trump. Now they have a scary situation, with their own loose cannon as President, and they are responsible for the outcome.

John McCain himself gave us Sarah Palin, and set a lot of this in motion. The rage at his own rallies shocked him, and he tried to reign it in, but it was too late. I think he is appalled by what has happened, and is trying to undo some of the damage before he dies.