News that Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) death dominated the weekend’s political news, but another longtime Senate Republican’s health remains under a thick cloud of suspicion.
Weeks after Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was initially hospitalized, a few anecdotal reports have emerged suggesting that he is communicative and aware of current events.
But without any direct evidence, there has been significant speculation regarding his condition. And one CNN contributor who said he had a conversation with the recovering senator isn’t getting support from the network.
According to Breitbart:
In a statement to the Daily Beast, a spokesperson for CNN pointed out that Jennings “is not a full-time employee or journalist” with CNN. The statement comes as Jennings and other people have claimed that they’ve engaged in conversations with McConnell regarding several topics as rumors began to surface that the Kentucky senator might be “brain dead.”
McConnell is reported to have been hospitalized since being admitted to the hospital on June 14.
“As a CNN Political Commentator, Scott Jennings is not a full-time employee or journalist for the network,” the spokesperson explained. “His account of a personal conversation with Senator McConnell reflects his experience and is not CNN reporting.”
The development drew some social media attention:
Way to throw someone under the bus CNN! Good to see how loyal you are to your employees!
— poecide (@poecidebrain) July 11, 2026
So, CNN gives him a national audience, pretends he’s part of the team, let’s him say anything he wants, then:
“Barely know the guy.”
— Røckførd (@TheGarner) July 11, 2026
CNNs comrades are trying to pretend CNN isnt the worst lying ass fake news going! As if they have ANY credibility to try to save. Thats friggin priceless. LMAO THIS ONE 🤣🤣😂🤪😜😝
— Wendy Peppercorn (@WPeppercor22022) July 12, 2026
Here’s more on Jennings’ initial comments, per TV Insider:
Appearing on Thursday’s (July 9) edition of The Lead with Jake Tapper, Jennings was asked if he’d spoken with McConnell that day. Earlier in the week, the CNN NewsNight panelist claimed that McConnell had called him on Tuesday (July 7) and that the pair had spoken for 20 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT“I have not,” Jennings said, per The Daily Beast. “I have been in touch with the staff. In fact, I was speaking with some of his senior staff today, and I know he was actually meeting with some of his staff late this afternoon about a few issues going on over at the Senate.”
Jennings said it sounded “like somebody who was preparing at some point to go back to work,” adding, “Now, whether that means go back to work soon or go back to work eventually, I don’t know. But I do know he was meeting with his staff today and getting some briefings on a few issues.”
Here’s some additional coverage of the rumors surrounding McConnell’s health, and the GOP’s response:
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