Former President Trump is arguing that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) ought to at least give up his Senate Republican leadership position in light of McConnell's apparent health issues.
Trump said as much during an interview that he did last Thursday with Breitbart News.
Before we get to what Trump had to say, though, some context is necessary.
McConnell made many news headlines last week after a strange incident occurred during a press conference that was held on Wednesday afternoon.
McConnell began the press conference as normal, saying, "Good afternoon, everyone. We're on a path to finishing the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) this week, there's been good bipartisan cooperation and a string of . . ."
It was at this point that McConnell froze. He looked ahead with a blank stare for about a minute before U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) asked, "You OK, Mitch? Is there anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?"
At this point, McConnell stepped to the side, while others continued the press conference. Then, about 10 minutes later, McConnell returned and finished off the press conference. He told reporters, "I'm fine."
Later in the day, one of McConnell's aides said that the senator "felt light-headed." Not much else about the incident is known.
The episode, however, has led to a lot of speculation about McConnell's health. And, some are using the episode to argue for term limits for members of Congress, while others are using it to argue that it is time for McConnell to move on.
Trump, during his interview with Breitbart, appeared to side with those arguing that McConnell ought to move on, at least from his senate leadership position.
Trump began by referring to the episode as "sad" and by blasting McConnell for his recent willingness to side with the Democrats on key issues. Trump said:
I thought it was sad. At the same time, I think it’s a shame he went so far out to give Green New Deal money to Biden and Democrats. He got 10 people to vote because they needed 10 people, and he got 10 people to vote on numerous occasions for trillions of dollars. I think that’s a shame. But that was too bad. That was a sad thing to see. He had a bad fall, I guess, and probably an after-effect of that. But it was also sad that he gave trillions and trillions and trillions of dollars to the Democrats to waste on the Green New Deal, destroying our oceans and destroying our great, beautiful vistas and plains all over our country with windmills that are very expensive energy. So that’s a very sad thing also.
Regarding the "bad fall," Trump was referring to the fact that McConnell fell and suffered a concussion earlier this year.
Trump went on to argue that McConnell ought to step aside from his leadership position. Trump said that "we have to have" a new leader.
Having said all of that, Trump, about McConnell, said, "I hope he's well."
