Conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings was grilled during a live broadcast after claiming he spoke with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)— again — and that the longtime Republican told him Tuesday that he was planning to return to Congress.
Jennings told the group of commentators that he spoke with the GOP senator on the phone, describing his condition as "improving position." He indicated that McConnell had said he's continuing his recovery and will return to Washington, D.C. after the recess to complete his final term in Congress, which ends in January 2027.
CNN anchor Pamela Brown asked Jennings to clarify how he was communicating with McConnell, whether he called the senator or an aide.
"He called me directly from his phone today," Jennings said. "We've had a relationship for a long time. I worked on a lot of his campaigns over the years, so it's not unusual for us to chat. But in today's case, he was really up on the campaigns. You know, he's a political operative at heart. We talked a lot about the Michigan Senate race. We talked about Maine a little bit, talked about just the map in general."
New York Times journalist and CNN contributor Lulu Garcia-Navarro expressed skepticism and asked why the public hadn't heard from McConnell.
"Scott, why isn't he calling in to a credible news organization? I mean, why is he talking to you and not talking to—" Garcia-Navarro asked.
"You saying it's not credible to call me, Lulu?" Jennings joked.
"I'm saying it's totally credible," Garcia-Navarro responded. "But as you said, you're calling your friend ... I'm just wondering how you view that. Why isn't he calling in to even one that he would consider friendly, like Fox News? That's the prevailing question."
Jennings suggested that McConnell might not be comfortable talking about his health, especially as a polio survivor.
The panel asked Jennings multiple questions to gather more information.
"Does he know about all of the brouhaha around this?" Garcia-Navarro asked.
David Chalian, senior vice President, Washington Bureau chief and political director for CNN, had a similar thought.
"Is he aware of the whole swirl?" Chalian asked.
Brown pointed out that McConnell hasn't voted since June, asking if he has spoken with any constituents since he was hospitalized.
"He told me today, he said, 'I know this is an unusual circumstance. I'm sitting here. The doctors tell me I don't have any life-threatening issues. It must seem rather strange,'" Jennings said. "I got the feeling he's somewhat aware of it and, frankly, somewhat frustrated by it."