Scott Jennings Rebuts Mitch McConnell Death Rumors After 20-Minute Hospital Call

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 9

Scott Jennings said on CNN that Mitch McConnell personally called him from the hospital on July 7, using the roughly 20-minute conversation to dismiss online claims that the 84-year-old senator was dead or brain dead.
Jennings gave few medical details, saying McConnell wants to keep his condition private, but said they discussed Iran, Ukraine, Maine politics, a presidential library visit and Senate history.
John Thune and John Barrasso also said they recently spoke with McConnell, describing separate July 6-7 calls as long, substantive and showing he was fully engaged and eager to return to the Senate.
McConnell has been hospitalized since June 14, and his office still has not disclosed the reason, even after emergency dispatch audio from his Washington residence referenced an unconscious person and possible cardiac arrest.
His aides said on July 1 and again on July 7 that he continues to improve and is working with staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.