CNN commentator Scott Jennings said he feels vindicated after Sen. Mitch McConnell publicly released a current hospital photo and provided an update on his health following weeks of speculation and online rumors surrounding the Kentucky Republican’s condition.
Speaking Monday on “The Scott Jennings Show,” the former adviser to McConnell opened his podcast by addressing critics who had questioned his earlier statements about the senator’s condition.
“Well, well, well, well. That’s all I have to say today,” Jennings began before delivering a pointed message to those who had doubted him.
“To everybody who doubted yours truly. To everybody out there who said that didn’t happen. To everybody out there who said Scott is off his rocker,” Jennings said. “He’s making things up. He’s not a real reporter. Therefore, you can’t trust anything he says.’ Well, you guys can kiss my uh grits, as they in the South.”
Jennings explained that the controversy began after he revealed on social media that he had received a phone call from McConnell on July 7. According to Jennings, the two spoke about several issues, and he later shared the interaction publicly because he had seen widespread online claims alleging the 84-year-old senator had died or was “brain dead.”
Jennings said those rumors had been gaining traction during McConnell’s extended absence from public view following his hospitalization, prompting him to post about the conversation.
“I simply said on social media I’d gotten a call,” Jennings said. “We spoke about a few issues and I hope he gets back to work soon.”
He added that speaking with McConnell was not unusual because the two have known each other for more than 30 years. Jennings said he believed his post would help put the speculation to rest.
“I thought, well, this will sort of put these rumors to rest that he’s no longer with us or incapable or whatever,” Jennings said. “Boy, was I wrong.”
Instead, Jennings said his post generated enormous attention online.
According to Jennings, the message accumulated 13 million views and roughly 35,000 comments, becoming the subject of widespread discussion and internet memes.
“Everybody thought they had old Scott,” he said. “Once again, they thought they had me, but as it turns out, I did what I always do. Tell you the truth about what’s going on in our world.”
Jennings also said he consistently acknowledged the limits of what he knew about McConnell’s medical condition.
He recalled telling CNN that while he had spoken with the senator, he was not McConnell’s physician and had no knowledge of his medical records.
“I talked to him once. I’m not his doctor. I don’t know what his medical records are and I’m not qualified to opine on that,” Jennings said.
At the same time, Jennings said he repeatedly argued that McConnell should be transparent with the people of Kentucky regarding his health.
He also said he told CNN on Friday that he expected McConnell to provide an update before the Senate returned to session.
That update came Sunday, when McConnell released a lengthy statement detailing his condition and shared a current photograph of himself from his hospital room.
According to Jennings, McConnell explained that he had been hospitalized after suffering a fall and was later moved to rehabilitation. The senator also stated that he did not suffer a heart attack or stroke.
Jennings argued the statement disproved the online rumors that had circulated for weeks.
“He was not resuscitated. He’s not dead. He’s not brain dead,” Jennings said. “All of that you probably heard was false.”
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