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Mitch McConnell Gets Rather Testy When Reporter Asks Him Why No One Likes Him

Posted By Megan Hamilton On In GOP Hypocrisy | No Comments

Mitch McConnell sat down for a live interview with Axios Jonathan Swan and at first things seemed jovial enough, with McConnell (R-Ky) smiling and appearing at ease. That changed however when Swan began asking the harder questions. Ones that didn’t necessarily frame McConnell in a good light.

The turning point came when Swan asked McConnell (who has served in the Senate since 1985) about his “ruthless style of politics,” Queerty [1] reports.

“I didn’t realize I was known for playing ruthless,” he said with a slight laugh. “My wife thinks I’m a really nice guy. My kids like me. I got a lot of friends. I’m shocked to hear such a comment.”

While McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao served as transportation secretary under former President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021, you may remember that came with a bit o’ baggage. In March 2021 the Department of Transportation’s inspector general released a report that alleged she committed four kinds of ethics violations while in office, doing things like using her staff and her position of power for personal favors.

McConnell’s comments initially drew a smattering of chuckles from the audience but the interview soon turned chilly when Swan lightly teased him by saying he could only list four people who actually liked him. Then the subject turned to McConnell’s “moral red lines.”

“I’m perfectly comfortable with the way that I have conducted my political career,” McConnell said, smile fading. “I’m very comfortable with my moral red line.”

Then Swann turned the heat up, wanting to know how McConnell could publicly condemn Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and then uphold him two weeks later by saying he would support him if he ran for president in 2024.

“How do you go from saying that, to two weeks later, saying you’d absolutely support Donald Trump if he’s the Republican leader in 2024,” Swan asked.’

McConnell responded tersely at first, in the way that you’d likely suspect — by saying he had an “obligation” to his party no matter who they nominate. Swan pushed him harder on that one, asking McConnell if there was “any threshold” that would lead him to draw the line. That’s when McConnell turned up the volume in an effort to shut Swan down, saying “I say many things I’m sure people don’t understand.”

But it’s pretty clear the only “obligation” McConnell really thinks he has is to himself. He consistently votes against the welfare of his own people in Kentucky — especially coal miners. [2] The coal industry [3] still makes up a sizable part of the state’s economy. McConnell loves him some big coal and he doesn’t care who he hurts as a result, even if it means people can’t drink [4] their own tap water.

I’m including a clip of McConnell vs. Swan below followed by some Twitter thoughts. Grab your popcorn and enjoy!