By Chip Hutcheson
Kentucky Today
While rumors swirl about the condition of Kentucky’s senior U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, his office is countering speculation that he is gravely ill after being hospitalized June 14 following a medical incident at his home.
A McConnell spokesperson released a statement pointing to three posts on “X” — formerly known as Twitter — reporting recent conversations with the senator.
Scott Jennings, prominent CNN political analyst, radio host and McConnell ally posted, “I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital.
“We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about Iran, Ukraine, the unfolding situation in Maine, my visit to the TR (Teddy Roosevelt) Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history. I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible.”
Al Weaver, Senate reporter for News of the United States, posted that “McConnell talked to (Senate Majority Leader John) Thune and (Senate Majority Whip John) Barrasso — yesterday and today, respectively.
Per a Thune spokesperson: “Leader Thune spoke with Sen. McConnell yesterday by phone. They had a lengthy and substantive conversation that covered a variety of topics, including national security.”
Catie Edmonson, Congressional correspondent for the New York Times, posted: “Senate Whip John Barrasso spoke by phone with McConnell this afternoon for “roughly 20 minutes,” per a Barrasso spokeswoman, including on ‘the Graham Platner scandal, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on coordinated spending limits.’”
McConnell’s office provided no further information on his condition. The statement said only, “As the Senator continues to recover, we will be sure to keep you updated.”
The release also repeated a statement from Tuesday that, “Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. The Senator continues to improve and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.”