OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
America’s least-favorite member of Congress has been revealed, and it will no doubt bring a smile to former President Donald Trump’s face.
According to a Monmouth University poll released last week, every member of Congress was underwater in terms of approval ratings, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) managed just 6 percent approval from respondents, which makes sense when you consider that Democrats don’t prefer him and he fell out of favor with Republicans, most of whom are Trump supporters.
The poll found that McConnell had an astoundingly high 60 percent disapproval rating, with 34 percent voicing no opinion, Fox News reported.
Fox added:
McConnell was the only congressional leader with a net negative approval rating from within his own party, and fell far behind his Democrat and Republican colleagues on how they are viewed by the American public. Just 10% of Republicans said they approved of McConnell’s job performance, with 41% disapproving and 49% having no opinion. Overall, just 17% said they approved of Congress’ job performance, and 77% said they disapproved.
Trump and McConnell had a major falling out after the 2020 election and the riot at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, with the latter blaming the former for the incident.
Earlier this year, Trump referred to McConnell as “a disaster” and said he “does not speak for the Republican Party.”
“We do have to do something about Mitch McConnell,” Trump said. “He’s a disaster. He gets his 10 guys, and they give [President Joe] Biden whatever they want. There’s something going on. That doesn’t make sense. They get whatever they want.”
“We got to get him the hell out,” he added. “He’s a problem, big problem. In the meantime, I hope he’s feeling well, but he’s a big problem.”
Following numerous freezing incidents in recent months, GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell dismissed worries about his health and whether he would resign during a press conference in September.
In the days and weeks following the incidents, some members of his own party, such as Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia called for his resignation, and inquiries have been made in the media.
McConnell made reference to the letter from the Capitol doctor but declined to go into more detail about the specific medical issue that resulted in the freezing.
“What Dr. Monahan’s report addressed were concerns people have with some things that have happened to me … well, they didn’t. … I have nothing to add to that. I think he pretty well covered the subject,” McConnell told CNN’s Manu Raju.
A reporter then asked McConnell: “What do you say to those who are calling on you to step down? Do you have any plans to retire any time soon?”
“I have no announcements to make on that subject. But what do you say to those who are? I’m going to finish my term as leader, and I’m going to finish my Senate term,” the GOP lawmaker said.
Dr. Brian Monahan, the Capitol physician, released an update on McConnell following the Kentucky Republican’s latest health scare.
McConnell experienced a momentary pause for the second time during a press conference in Covington, Kentucky, when questioned about his intention to run for re-election in 2026. About a month earlier, the same thing happened during his weekly press conference.
But Monahan said that McConnell is not suffering from a seizure disorder and has not had a stroke, according to The Hill.
“My examination of you following your August 30, 2023, brief episode included several medical evaluations: brain MRI imaging, EEG study, and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment,” Monahan said in a letter that was released by McConnell’s office. “There is no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you experienced a stroke, TIA, or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease.”
