CNN moved Friday to clarify that conservative political commentator Scott Jennings’ claims about speaking with hospitalized Senator Mitch McConnell do not represent the network’s own reporting, according to a statement the network provided to The Daily Beast.
Jennings, a longtime McConnell ally and former senior adviser to the Kentucky Republican, claimed on Tuesday that he had spoken with McConnell by phone for approximately 17 minutes while the senator remained hospitalized. During the call, Jennings said McConnell discussed Iran, Ukraine, and other current issues, and indicated he was “feeling OK” and meeting with senior staff about Senate business.
However, CNN’s response made clear the network had not independently verified Jennings’ account. “As a CNN Political Commentator, Scott Jennings is not a full-time employee or journalist for the network,” the network’s spokesperson said. “His account of a personal conversation with Senator McConnell reflects his experience and is not CNN reporting.”
McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14 for an undisclosed medical condition. The 84-year-old senator’s office has released minimal public information about his hospitalization or health status, fueling weeks of speculation. On Friday, footage emerged showing McConnell being loaded into an ambulance outside his Washington home, with accompanying 911 dispatch audio indicating a report of an unconscious person in cardiac arrest.
Jennings’ claims prompted CNN host Kasie Hunt to challenge him on air to call McConnell live during the broadcast to verify his account. Jennings declined, saying he had not expected McConnell to call him that morning. The incident highlighted the difficulty in confirming information about the senator’s condition, as his office has provided few details beyond acknowledging his hospitalization.
McConnell has a history of health challenges. In February 2026, he was hospitalized for eight days with what his office described as flu-like symptoms. In 2023, he was hospitalized after suffering a minor rib fracture and concussion in a fall, and he has experienced multiple public incidents of freezing during speeches. As a polio survivor, McConnell has long acknowledged mobility challenges, though he has continued his Senate duties despite these health concerns.
Sources
- Yahoo News — CNN’s statement clarifying that Jennings’ claims about McConnell do not constitute network reporting
- The Daily Beast — CNN’s official response distancing the network from Jennings’ account
- USA Today — Jennings’ claim of a 17-minute phone call with McConnell and CNN’s on-air challenge to verify it
- People.com — Details of Jennings’ statement about the phone call and the on-air challenge from CNN host Kasie Hunt
- CNN — Footage of McConnell being loaded into an ambulance and 911 dispatch information
- Reuters — McConnell’s hospitalization on June 14 and neighbors’ observations of him being transported on a stretcher
- Politico — McConnell’s earlier hospitalization in February 2026 for flu-like symptoms
