Is the Mitch McConnell era coming to a close?
Can the most powerful Senate Republican in recent memory hang on for another Trump election cycle?
When Kentucky Sen, Mitch McConnell (R) last ran for reelection in 2020, he handily defeated Democratic challenger Amy McGrath by nearly 20 points in a stunning display of the political clout that has made McConnell an institution in both his home state and the United States Senate as a whole. Just three years later, however, McConnell's seemingly impenetrable fiefdom appears on significantly shakier ground; the man whose senatorial impact and legacy rivals even that of Lyndon Johnson now finds himself increasingly at odds with his own party as it continues to transform into an extension — both politically and culturally — of former President Donald Trump.
Making his 28th appearance at Kentucky's annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic this weekend, McConnell was met with a cacophonous barrage of boos, shouted allegations that he'd "lost the Senate," and ongoing calls to "retire," even as he tried in vain to tell picnic-goers that "it's not hard for Republicans to look good these days."
The episode quickly went viral online, boosted in part by Trump himself, who shared a clip of McConnell's speech, complete with a transcription of the crowd's "BOOOOO—RETIRE, RETIRE, RETIRE—BOOOOO!!!" chant, on his Truth Social platform. "I AGREE!" Trump added, making absolutely clear where he stands on the issue of McConnell's senate tenure. That the incident occurred just days after McConnell inexplicably froze mid-sentence during a GOP press conference — itself just months after McConnell was discharged from a hospital after suffering a concussion from a recent fall — only served to heighten the sense that this onetime lion of the Senate might be facing his final act as a Republican leader. But is the McConnell era truly coming to a close, or will he weather this latest turbulence and continue leading his party for the foreseeable future?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What are the commentators saying?
"Speculation about McConnell's future has become more common" following his fall this past Spring, CNN reported, noting that despite warm applause when he first appeared at the Fancy Farm Picnic, "some voters expressed some concern about how his health will affect his ability to continue serving in the Senate." McConnell's "speech has sounded more halting in recent weeks, prompting questions among some of his colleagues about his health," according to The Associated Press. After his press-conference freeze-up, "a number of pro-Trump conservative media figures and activists, who have long despised the Senate minority leader, called for [McConnell's] immediate resignation," Vanity Fair said, adding that despite McConnell's vow to complete his term and tenure as Republican senate leader, his "obvious frailty means that a retirement or retreat from Senate leadership is certainly a possibility."
While the Associated Press said that the chorus of boos during McConnell's speech originated with Democrats in the audience, the fact that those in attendance chanted accused him of having "lost" the Senate highlights the bipartisan frustration with the longtime GOP leader, with the predictably Democratic opprobrium buttressed by a growing conservative bloc of Trump-influenced conservatives. Just before McConnell's speech this weekend, the former president called his onetime ally "perhaps the worst leader in the history of our country," alleging that "they've got something on Mitch McConnell."
For his part, McConnell "stuck to his script" during his speech, the New York Post reported, adding that he conspicuously "did not acknowledge" Trump's comments. Nevertheless, while his influence is unmatched across the GOP, Trump is not the only Republican who has publicly called for McConnell to step down: late last month former UN ambassador and current Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley also called McConnell out by name during a CBS interview, where she encouraged him to "know when to walk away" as part of a broader call for electoral term limits.
What's next?
To date, McConnell has publicly denied any plans to heed the calls for his retirement, saying in a statement last month that he intends to "serve his full term" as Senate minority leader, which his colleagues "overwhelmingly elected him to do." Still, the nexus of health concerns, with the steady flow of threats from the current Republican presidential front-runner has put McConnell in as vulnerable a position as he has ever been. Were he to retire, or find himself incapacitated while in office, a 2021 bill passed over the objections of Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear would require a fellow Republican to fill his seat, ensuring no change in the balance of partisan power in the Senate. What could change, however, is the balance of power within the GOP itself. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.), and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) are each seen as "possible contenders to be McConnell's successor," according to Vox, which pointed out that "all three have at times sought to keep their distance" from Trump of late. Still, McConnell's absence would create a "power vacuum" in the Senate, which in turn could lead to "an opening for the MAGA wing of the party to grow its influence."
While his recent health concerns may have exacerbated calls for a change within the party, McConnell's once solid-seeming support showed cracks as early as this past midterm election, when — after losing the Senate majority to the Democrats — he faced an insurgent effort by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to oust him as GOP leader. While Scott's effort ultimately only garnered 10 votes from fellow Republicans, it was a sign of shifting winds within the party. "My criticisms following the last election loss are well known," Sen. Josh Hawley, one of Scott's supporters, told Vanity Fair. "I think we need a different approach…but I don't want that to be taken as a dig against his health, at all."
"I'm against older candidates, the current president, Mitch McConnell," one attendee at this weekend's picnic told CNN. "I think that they've run their course in politics, I think they'd be good for backing people now. But I think politics now is more of a young man's game." In spite of those headwinds, though, McConnell himself seemed nothing but confident, telling picnic attendees that "this is my 28th Fancy Farm and I want to assure you it's not my last."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
Earth's carbon sinks are collapsing
Under the Radar Forests and soil are not operating as usual
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: October 21, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: October 21, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is 2024 the podcast election?
Today's Big Question The Trump and Harris campaigns are turning to alternative media to reach voters
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump gets profane at Catholic charity dinner
Speed Read The Republican nominee mocked Kamala Harris, her husband, her running mate, President Joe Biden and other Democrats
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Second Amendment enthusiast Trump has little new to say on guns
The Explainer Trump opposes a ban on assault weapons and strengthening background checks, but supports teachers carrying weapons in school
By David Faris Published
-
'The next US president should rethink the program in its entirety'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Georgia judge suspends new hand-count ballot rule
Speed Read The rule would have required three poll workers in every precinct to hand-count votes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Donald Trump promises to crack down on supposed crime epidemic
The Explainer The idea that America is under siege is central to his campaign's strategy
By David Faris Published
-
'Postwar Ukraine is going to be an intensely hostile neighbor'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published