Scott Jennings Discusses Alleged Conversations with Mitch McConnell on CNN

<figure><img alt="Scott Jennings" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/3AI3IQH5MNENDHLWGH2IKCYFXM.png?auth=7538c580cf7f5e0caf2167d65045632e5234b0286a878eb75b546c12b64e5b30&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2929&amp;height=1648" /><figcaption>CNN</figcaption></figure><p>Scott Jennings, a confidante of Mitch McConnell, was questioned on Thursday regarding his claims of having spoken with the senator following his hospitalization in June.</p><p>During an appearance on <i>CNN Newsnight</i>, Caroline Sunshine, a former Disney Channel actress and White House spokesperson, expressed skepticism about Jennings' assertions that he had communicated with McConnell shortly after his hospitalization for a fall and pneumonia, and again earlier this month.</p><p>In a heated discussion about U.S. intelligence on Iran's nuclear capabilities, Jennings challenged Sunshine, asking, “Do you not believe the president’s son and his envoy?”</p><p>Sunshine responded, “I don’t believe you had a phone call with Mitch McConnell, I’ll tell you that. I don’t believe you had a 20-minute phone call with Mitch McConnell, and I don’t think a lot of people do, either.”</p><p>Jennings, 48, countered by suggesting that Sunshine sounded like “a garden variety conspiracy theorist.”</p><p>Sunshine then inquired, “How is he? Have you talked with him lately?”</p><p>Jennings affirmed, saying, “Yeah.”</p><p>On August 11, Jennings stated on CNN that he had spoken to the 84-year-old senator that day, noting that McConnell appeared to be recovering well at home and expected to return to the Senate on September 14 after the break.</p><p>“It’s pretty simple. An 84-year-old man who’s at the end of his term had a health issue. He’s recovering from it. He’s trying to get back to work. I expect he will get back to work,” Jennings said.</p><p>Jennings also mentioned that McConnell acknowledged the unusual speculation surrounding his health condition, stating, “He told me today, he said it was like, ‘I know this is unusual circumstances. I’m sitting here. The doctors tell me I don’t have any life-threatening issues. It must seem rather strange.’ So yeah, I got the feeling he’s somewhat aware of it, and frankly, somewhat frustrated by it.”</p><p>McConnell’s office is managed by his chief of staff, Terry Carmack, who earns $226,000 annually. Earlier this month, an independent journalist approached Carmack in the Capitol, but he declined to address questions regarding McConnell's lack of public appearances or communications.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/scott-jennings-accused-of-lying-about-mitch-mcconnell-in-fiery-on-air-clash/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>