Scott Jennings calls for 'more transparency' on McConnell's health after speaking with him

CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings admitted Thursday that Republicans could do more to clarify Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) health status.

Jennings told CNN anchor Jake Tapper that McConnell, who he claims he spoke with earlier this week, has "always been pretty guarded about his own health issues."

Tapper asked the MAGA analyst if he had spoken with the longtime Republican lawmaker again since their reported 17-minute chat on Tuesday. Jennings, who is a Kentucky voter and has known McConnell since he was a teenager, said he had spoken with senior members of the senator's team.

"My personal view is that they do need to actually have a little more transparency with the people of Kentucky," Jennings said. "I counseled him and his team as such."

McConnell has been hospitalized for three weeks and it's unclear what his condition is.

"It pains me when I think he's hurting," Jennings added. "But I do think when you're in a position of public life like he is, some information is a good thing and that hasn't been out there. My belief is I think the Senate goes back in on Monday, I'd be shocked if they didn't put out an update on him by Monday about whether he's going to be able to go back to the Senate next week. And I should say, I don't know whether he is or he isn't. And I'm not sure whether he's made that decision or not."

Jennings denied that McConnell had died or was a "vegetable," despite speculation that he was.

"I've spoken with him and I've spoken to people who have been meeting with him over the last few days, so I think all that speculation could be put to rest," he said. "But I think it's frankly, I think it's up to them to tell the people of Kentucky when he's going back to work. I hope they do that by Monday. And I believe that they will."