CNN Anchor Asks Scott Jennings for a Mitch McConnell Health Update: ‘Have You Had Another Phone Call?’

CNN’s Kasie Hunt asked conservative panelist Scott Jennings for a health update on his former boss, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who has been recovering for weeks after a fall left him unconscious.

Hunt sought out the information despite CNN distancing itself from a prior Jennings claim that he spoke to the senator by phone.

Earlier this month, CNN released a statement saying, “Scott Jennings is not a full-time employee or journalist for the network. His account of a personal conversation with Senator McConnell reflects his experience and is not CNN reporting.”

After McConnell finally provided the public with a photo after weeks of speculation about the 84-year-old’s health, Jennings took a victory lap, telling his critics, “kiss my grits!”

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are demanding more, following 39 days of the senator’s absence. On Thursday, Hunt tried asking Jennings.

“Scott Jennings, have you had another phone call with the former majority leader recently?” Hunt asked.

“Phone call? No,” Jennings stated.

“Do you know anything new about his condition that you can update us with?” she asked.

“Well, I know he continues to do his rehab activities. I know he’s still following doctor’s orders, and my assumption is sometime between now and Monday, they’ll probably issue another update on how he’s coming along,” Jennings said. “I don’t know if they’ve made any decisions about whether he’s going to be cleared to come back to work or not, but I would be surprised if we don’t hear from them again, by the by the weekend or by Monday.”

“I think last time that you and I spoke about this very topic, you said the exact same thing. You were like, ‘Ask me on Monday,'” Hunt said, prompting Jennings to quip, “And they did. And I was right.”

Panelist Xochitl Hinojosa asked Jennings, “At what point do you think at what point do you think that maybe he should resign from his seat?”

“Resign?” Jennings asked, taken aback.

“Yeah. Give up his seat because he is not able to do the job of a U.S. Senator?” she persisted.

“How do you know he’s not working on U.S. Senate business?” Jennings asked.

“Well, he’s not voting, Scott,” Hunt said. “He’s not casting votes on the floor of the Senate.”

“Well, we’ve had senators that have taken medical leave before. I do know that he’s routinely meeting with his staff and going over issues. And I think maybe even talking to other other senators,” Jennings said before saying, “I think a statement in the next few days would be prudent.”

Watch the clip above via CNN.

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