Mitch McConnell hasn't visited WH since August for its poor Covid-19 handling, Internet says 'rats jumping ship'
When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was asked at a Kentucky event on Thursday, October 8, if he believes President Donald Trump should be disclosing more information about his recent coronavirus diagnosis, he did not directly answer the question but instead admitted that he had been avoiding going to the White House since August because the POTUS' residence had been lacking in following the CDC guidelines with regards to the pandemic.
McConnell, 78, a polio survivor, has been strictly following of the Covid-19 protocols, be it mask-wearing or practising social distancing, more than any of his colleagues in the Senate. He has even appeared on camera encouraging the public to wear face-covering to save themselves from the virus. Although he has been a staunch backer of Trump in the past, it seems like he would draw a line in his support for the president if the question comes down to his own health.
"I actually haven't been to the White House since August 6, because my impression was their approach to how to handle this was different than mine and what I insisted that we do in the Senate, which is to wear a mask and practice social distancing," said McConnell to reporters at the event. At a second event shortly after, he added that the White House wasn't "approaching the protection from this illness in the same way that I thought was appropriate in the Senate."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he has avoided visiting the White House for more than two months because of its handling of the coronavirus https://t.co/EoS1szcKCt pic.twitter.com/2KaUjakuqf
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 8, 2020
McConnell further emphasized the fact that while he had not stepped into the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue building, he has been coordinating with Trump over the phone and that the president was doing much better since his diagnosis. "I think he's perfectly fine. He seems normal and we've been discussing the very issues that you all are discussing with me right now. Of course, the biggest thing we're doing at the moment is the Supreme Court," referring to the confirmation of the SCOTUS nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the highest court of the land prior to the November 3 election.
McConnell's dissing off the White House appeared to be exactly what liberals on social media were waiting for to pounce on the opportunity to make fun of him and his support for Trump. "And so the rats are jumping ship and trying to distance themselves from the Trump. Too late! God I hope the people of Kentucky are smart," one wrote, while another quipped, "Until end of June @GOP had the same attitude as trump & @WhiteHouse Don’t let them off easily with this distancing BS now. June was well into the pandemic. No excuses for total lack of Republican leadership."
A third opined, "It's too late Mitch, history will remember your supporting of this administration, no use trying to distance yourself now. Utterly pathetic, how anyone could trust this man to act out of anything other than self-interest is astounding." Another remarked, "May #MoscowMitch get what he deserves for trying to ram through a Supreme Court (dis)appointment WHILE AMERICANS ARE VOTING IN THE 2020 ELECTION." One more user commented, "Why is Mitch now saying he’s avoiding to visit his buddy in the WH SCOTUS confirmation hearing ! Mitch should start making plans what sort of protective gear is required , Their will be a sick man at the Oval Office waiting.."
And so the rats are jumping ship and trying to distance themselves from the Trump. Too late! God I hope the people of Kentucky are smart. pic.twitter.com/9gs6TX6vTP
— Liberal Nerd (@LiberalNerd1) October 8, 2020
Until end of June @GOP had the same attitude as trump & @WhiteHouse. Don’t let them off easily with this distancing BS now. June was well into the pandemic. No excuses for total lack of Republican leadership.
— Just Murphy (@ScotsIrish2020) October 8, 2020
It's too late Mitch, history will remember your supporting of this administration, no use trying to distance yourself now. Utterly pathetic, how anyone could trust this man to act out of anything other than self-interest is astounding.
— Braz (@David_Brazil_) October 8, 2020
May #MoscowMitch get what he deserves for trying to ram through a Supreme Court (dis)appointment WHILE AMERICANS ARE VOTING IN THE 2020 ELECTION.
— Adam Rifkin 🐼 (@ifindkarma) October 8, 2020
Why is Mitch now saying he’s avoiding to visit his buddy in the WH
— FREDRICK ELLIOTT (@FREDRICKELLIO13) October 8, 2020
SCOTUS confirmation hearing ! Mitch should start making plans what sort of protective gear is required , Their will be a sick man at the Oval Office waiting..