McConnell ally addresses ‘rumors’ surrounding the senator’s health condition

An ally of Sen. Mitch McConnell is denying some speculation circulating social media surrounding McConnell’s health condition after around three weeks of hospitalization.

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Scott Jennings, a former McConnell adviser and conservative political commentator on CNN, is part of a handful of people saying that they’ve spoken with McConnell directly since being admitted into the hospital. In a Tuesday social media post on X, Jennings said that he spoke to McConnell for almost 20 minutes on a variety of topics.

Later on CNN, Jennings sought to disprove some of the speculation as McConnell’s office shares few details on his hospitalization.

“I’ve seen rumors about him being dead, or brain-dead, or his body is being hidden somewhere,” Jennings said. “I’ve seen all kinds of crazy things on the internet that’s obviously not true because he picked up the phone and called me.”

But when asked on CNN if he thinks McConnell is still capable of serving as senator, Jennings didn’t directly answer the question. He also said he doesn’t know why McConnell is hospitalized.

“I came away feeling he was staying on top of the news,” Jennings said.

McConnell, 84, was hospitalized June 14, but his team did not give details about his condition at the time, only saying he was receiving “excellent care.” Last week, his office confirmed that McConnell was still recovering in the hospital after it was unclear if he was still hospitalized.

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Jennings isn’t the only person who has said they recently spoke with McConnell. Spokespeople for Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Whip John Barrasso, both Republicans, have said the Senate leaders talked with McConnell on the phone this week.

Some are still skeptical of these calls, including Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who posted on X Tuesday night to mock Jennings’ social media post.

“I spoke to McConnell for about 20 minutes this morning,” Massie said. “He said we should end the war with Iran, quit giving aid to Israel, stop spying on Americans without a warrant, and he’s really sorry about how my primary turned out.”

‘Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the US’ for Chao

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who is McConnell’s wife, also issued a statement following her return to the U.S. after she traveled to China while McConnell was hospitalized.

“The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors,” a spokesperson for Chao said. “During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the US ambassador. The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the US.”

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