A prominent political pundit as well as at least two sitting senators say they’ve spoken to Sen. Mitch McConnell by phone amid the mysterious health battle that has landed him in the hospital.
A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he had spoken with McConnell by phone on Monday and that the two had a “lengthy and substantive conversation that covered a variety of topics, including national security,” according to the Associated Press (AP).
The AP also reported that Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 2 Senate Republican, had a 20-minute conversation with McConnell on Tuesday, according to a spokeswoman.
While McConnell’s team has recently said he has been “improving” since his June 14 hospitalization, the scant details and absence of proof of life have led to a swirl of rumors about his current condition.
Now CNN’s conservative commentator Scott Jennings has added additional fuel to the ongoing health speculation surrounding McConnell after going on-air yesterday to put rumors surrounding McConnell’s health to bed.
Jennings had taken to X earlier in the day to say that he had spoken to the former Senate leader and had found him in good spirits.
“I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky,” Jennings wrote.
“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 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.”
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 Presidential Library, and even a…
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) July 7, 2026
However, as scant details surrounding the circumstances of McConnell’s abrupt hospitalization continue to emerge, Jennings was asked by fellow CNN anchor Kasie Hunt whether McConnell would be willing to dial into the studio from his hospital bed to set the record straight.
“As we wrap up here, do you think he’d be willing to call into the show? Could we get him on the phone now?” Hunt asked.
Jennings carefully brushed aside the request, answering instead: “I wasn’t really expecting him to call this morning, to be honest so when the phone rang and I was able to talk to him, I was frankly pretty grateful.
“I mean, as I said, I’ve known him since I was a teenager. If it hadn’t been for Mitch McConnell and the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville, you know, I would never have been able to go to college. He’s been my mentor, and he changed the trajectory of my life.”
He continued: “So, you know, when things happen to him and happen to people in your life that you really care about, you just sort of naturally feel extremely worried.
“So when I heard his voice today, and he was clearly keeping up with stuff, that made me happy to hear from him because like everybody else, I’ve been, you know, somewhat in the dark about it, but to hear him talking and to know that he’s also talking to the Senate leadership, it made me pretty happy.”
Take a listen —
So either Mitch McConnell is not brain-dead or Scott Jennings is lying!
I believe Scott, what about you?
pic.twitter.com/tuePQRRlV3— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) July 7, 2026
Hunt asked Jennings whether he felt the senator’s team had been honest and forthcoming about his difficulties.
“I sometimes wonder, like, if I were laying in a hospital bed, would I want a bunch of people around photographing me?” he answered.
“Probably not. Particularly if I were an 84-year-old person who’s normally private about his health. Probably not.
“But, look, I take the criticism. I think it’s a fair question about transparency. I think it’s a fair question about whether they’ve done enough. But ultimately, these office holders, you know, they’re in charge of their own operations.”
Hunt signed off by saying: “Our phone lines are open here at The Arena should he wish to call in.”
“Long time listener, first time caller,” Jennings joked.
McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14, according to a statement from his office that only said he was “receiving excellent care.”
A statement a week later said that he would not be voting that week. And on Thursday, a new statement said that he ”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,” the statement said.
A spokesman for McConnell released the same statement again on Tuesday, with no new updates.
This is an ongoing story. Check back for updates.