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Scott Jennings pressed over alleged call with Mitch McConnell

journalismJul 10, 20261208,726

Scott Jennings, a longtime adviser to Sen. Mitch McConnell, said he spoke with McConnell from the hospital for roughly 20 minutes and was pressed on live television to put the senator on the phone. Jennings wrote on X on July 7 that their conversation covered Iran, Ukraine, the Maine situation, his visit to the TR Presidential Library, and Senate history, and he said he wants to see McConnell back at work as soon as possible. Hours after that post, Jennings appeared on CNN's The Arena, where host Kasie Hunt and other guests pressed him for details; Jennings declined to elaborate, citing McConnell's desire for privacy, and laughed when Hunt asked him to call McConnell on air. Jennings said the rumors that McConnell was dead or brain dead were false because McConnell answered the phone. McConnell, 84, has been hospitalized since June 14; his office has not disclosed the reason for the hospitalization. Senate colleagues John Thune and John Barrasso also spoke to McConnell on July 6 and 7, with Thune describing a long substantive conversation and Barrasso saying McConnell was fully engaged and eager to return to the Senate.

3 sources