You would think that the president of the party in control of Congress would be aware of the health and well-being of its senior leaders.
But that doesn’t seem to be the case.
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President Donald Trump has said recently that he has “no idea” about former GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell’s current condition, a month after the Kentuckian was admitted to a DC hospital.
Initial reports said that McConnell suffered a “cardiac arrest” requiring “CPR,” but a photo and statement he released on Monday, a day after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) died suddenly of the same illness, claimed that he had suffered a fall and had developed a mild case of pneumonia while undergoing rehab.
Now, during an appearance Monday evening on NewsmaxTV with host Greg Kelly, the president repeated his earlier claims that he remained in the dark, despite McConnell’s statement.
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“Or that picture? I should say of Mitch McConnell this weekend, and what do you think of his outlook? What are you hearing?” Kelly asked Trump at one point.
“Well, I don’t hear much. You know, never…never a huge fan, but, you know, he’s one of the people who should be voting for John Thune,” Trump responded.
“John Thune was loyal to him. Whether you like John Thune, John Thune was very loyal to Mitch McConnell, and Mitch McConnell’s like a no vote on the Save America Act, which is basically you think about it, it’s voter ID, it’s proof of citizenship and its no mail in ballots, except for the military, disabled, sick or of you’re, sick or traveling, and which is pretty generous right there,” Trump continued.
“No mail-in ballots may be the most important of those three items, but he’s against that,” the president said.
“How can anybody be against that and against some other things, so it’s too bad,” Trump noted.
“You know, I hope he’s gonna be fine. I don’t know if he’s fine, but I simply hope he’s gonna be fine,” Trump concluded.
The photo was intended to reassure Americans that McConnell is in good condition, but it is now drawing fresh scrutiny after another Republican senator publicly questioned whether the image was taken recently.
The comments add another twist to the growing debate surrounding the Kentucky senator’s health, even as his office insists he is recovering and improving.
WATCH:
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said Monday that a source told him the hospital photograph released by Sen. McConnell’s office may not have been taken during the senator’s current hospitalization.
Johnson made the remarks during an appearance on The Balance on Real America’s Voice after host Eric Bolling questioned the authenticity of the image.
“I saw a picture that I’m not sure I believe is actually Mitch McConnell from the hospital after what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen,” Bolling said.
“Do you believe Mitch McConnell is the one who said, ‘I’m ok. Here’s the picture of my wife, Elaine Chao and I’ in that hospital bed?” Bolling asked.
Johnson replied that he had heard similar questions from one of his own sources but stressed that he could not verify the information.
“Well, I just heard from some other source that was an older photo. So, I really don’t know. I haven’t talked to Mitch,” Johnson said.
He added that despite political disagreements over the years, he wished McConnell a full recovery.
“I certainly wish he and his family well. I hope he can recover.”
Johnson continued by reflecting on McConnell’s long Senate career.
“It’s sad to watch people age no matter who that person is. I’ve served with Mitch McConnell for 16 years. Obviously, I’ve disagreed with him on a host of things, but I also know he loves this country,” Johnson added.
“He reveres the Senate… Mitch McConnell also loves his country, so I wish him well. I hope he recovers. I hope he can come back and contribute and vote with the president’s agenda.”
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
