‘WHAT MADE YOU SAY THAT?’

MAGA Senator Cornered on Eyebrow-Raising McConnell Claim

The senator’s bombshell claim gave new life to MAGA conspiracy theories about McConnell’s proof-of-life pic and true condition.

MAGA Sen. Ron Johnson has been pressed to explain his bombshell claim that Mitch McConnell’s proof-of-life photo was not taken the same day it was released.

Johnson, 71, claimed Monday that a source told him the photo of McConnell recovering in the hospital was actually an “older photo.”

“I just heard from some, some other source that was an older photo, so I really don’t know,” Johnson said on Real America’s Voice. He had just been asked if he believed McConnell was the one who released the photo and statement about his health the day before.

Johnson’s bombshell claim quickly gave new life to MAGA conspiracy theories about the image and the 84-year-old senator’s true condition. However, he has since disowned his own remarks when asked about them on NewsNation.

“On Monday, you said that you’re not sure that the photo Senator Mitch McConnell shared of himself and his wife over the weekend in the hospital is even a new picture. What made you say that?” asked Morning in America anchor Markie Martin. “I’m curious if you’ve gotten any more clarity on that, congressman?”

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Johnson replied, “Well, the TV host was saying it was AI, and I just said, well, you know, I’d heard that maybe it wasn’t the most recent photo.”

He proceeded to pull the plug on his own allegation, saying, “Yeah, I have—I have no idea. Just discount all that.”

Eric Bolling, the Real America’s Voice TV host Johnson was referring to, never said the image posted by McConnell’s office was AI.

Johnson, who has repeatedly faced scrutiny over his embrace of conspiracy theories, went on to say he hoped McConnell would recover, saying, “From my standpoint, I wish Leader McConnell well. I hope he recovers. I hope he returns to the Senate and can help support President Trump’s agenda.”

McConnell’s office posted the much-scrutinized photo after spending weeks declining to answer questions about his health. McConnell was taken to a hospital on June 14 after he was found unconscious at his Washington, D.C., home and required CPR.

His office released a lengthy statement on Sunday in which McConnell claimed he did not suffer “a heart attack or a stroke,” but was taken to the hospital after a fall and was “briefly unconscious.” McConnell said he was dealing with a “mild case of pneumonia.”

Johnson is not alone among right-wing figures expressing skepticism about McConnell’s photo and accompanying statement.

Far-right influencer and President Donald Trump’s “loyalty enforcer,” Laura Loomer, alleged that the image was “BS” and called for McConnell’s team to release a video of the senator.

“The text is blurry, and the tag on his shirt is blurred,” Loomer said, alleging that the photo itself was generated by AI. “Also, if he’s in the hospital, why is there no IV connected to him to monitor his health? This is such bulls--t. His staff are liars.”

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Erkki ForsterNight News Reporter

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