Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., insisted that Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remains mentally sharp, while acknowledging the Kentucky senator’s body is failing him, as MS NOW’s Peter Alexander pressed him on whether his longtime mentor should step down.
Tillis appeared on “State of Play” on Tuesday as part of a promotional tour for his new book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents,” in which he opens up about behind-the-scenes tensions with President Donald Trump.
As he nears the end of his term in January, Tillis has not held back in his criticism of the president and the administration.
During the interview, Alexander asked whether McConnell would better serve his constituents by stepping down amid growing concerns about his health.
“Why wouldn’t his constituents be better served if Mitch McConnell stepped down and let someone else serve out these waning few months of his term?” Alexander asked.
Tillis compared the question to criticism leveled during former President Joe Biden’s time in office, when concerns arose over Biden’s advanced age and mental capacity.
“I think it’s the same question that people ask of Biden,” Tillis said.
Alexander pushed back.
“Understood. But Biden, he is no longer the president. Mitch McConnell still serves,” the MS NOW host said.
Alexander then asked why Republicans couldn’t “lead by example” and call on McConnell to step aside, as they did with Biden.
“Guess what? We’re following the bad advice of people who mask the fact that President Biden was not prepared,” Tillis replied.
Tillis has described McConnell as a longtime mentor. The North Carolina Republican rents a carriage house from McConnell in Washington, D.C., and even named a dog after him.
Tillis said he has spoken with McConnell personally and maintained that the veteran lawmaker is mentally fit.
“Mitch McConnell is retiring this year. I ran into Mitch. The difference between the Biden situation and the Mitch situation is I’ve had conversations with Mitch. That man’s brain is as sharp as it ever is,” Tillis said.
He attributed McConnell’s physical decline to a longtime health battle.
“His body is failing him because he’s had a lifelong struggle with polio,” Tillis said.
Tillis recounted a meeting with McConnell roughly a couple of weeks ago, saying that when he asked how McConnell was doing, the senator spent probably less than 30 seconds on the subject before shifting to policy.
According to Tillis, McConnell immediately turned the conversation to how to help Ukraine and how to save the Senate and keep the filibuster.
“Does that sound like a man who’s not prepared to actually finish out his term?” Tillis asked.
McConnell, 84, was hospitalized in June after suffering a fall at his home. He returned to work last month.
However, a lack of public videos, pictures and comments from McConnell has fueled growing concerns among critics about his capacity to hold office.
McConnell will retire at the end of his current term.
[READ MORE: Leaked Audio Captures Paxton Privately Naming Gas Prices as His Campaign’s ‘Biggest Problem’]
