Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell's Absence Sparks Thomas Massie Senate Speculation

Rumors surrounding McConnell’s health are putting new attention on one of the GOP’s most unconventional lawmakers.

Robby Soave | 7.7.2026 3:50 PM

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Welcome to Free Media. Today, here's my take on how Rep. Thomas Massie (R–Ky.) could end up replacing Mitch McConnell in the Senate. That would be sweet, sweet irony after President Donald Trump and GOP donor Miriam Adelson conspired to destroy Massie for his foreign policy heresies and forced him out of Congress. But he could return more powerful than ever, in the U.S. Senate.

Sound crazy? Maybe, or maybe not! Something is going on with McConnell, who checked into the hospital three weeks ago due to unspecified medical issues and has not been seen since. His staff is desperate to assure everybody that there's nothing wrong, and that the senator, who is retiring at the end of the year, will be back to work in no time.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R–S.D.) maintains that he has spoken with McConnell, that he's in good health, and that he'll be voting on legislation again any day now. Republican commentator Scott Jennings said he spoke with McConnell and that he's fine.

I spoke to my old friend........

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