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Coverage dated July 8, 2026 to July 9, 2026

CNN falls for fake GOP lawmaker who claimed Mitch McConnell won ‘staring contest’ from hospital

Headline from New York Post

Newest development Jul 9, 2026 · 2 reportsCNN falls for fake GOP lawmaker who claimed Mitch McConnell won ‘staring contest’ from hospital

CNN mistakenly aired a fake Republican congressman's fabricated account of a phone call with hospitalized Sen. Mitch McConnell.

New York Post's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. OOPS: CNN Cites FAKE Congressman as Source on McConnell Health

    Headline from NewsBusters ·

  2. Newest

    CNN falls for fake GOP lawmaker who claimed Mitch McConnell won ‘staring contest’ from hospital

    Headline from New York Post ·

2 reports not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

7 articles, oldest first.

  1. The Daily Wire

    CNN Cites Fake Congressman’s Account Of Conversation With McConnell (opens The Daily Wire)

    Published

    The Daily Wire's feed description

    CNN ran with a quote from a parody account during a segment about Republicans who say they have spoken with ailing former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) during his recent hospitalization.

  2. NewsBusters

    UPDATE: CNN Cites FAKE Congressman as Source on McConnell Health (opens NewsBusters)

    Published

    NewsBusters's feed description

    UPDATE: CNN Cites FAKE Congressman as Source on McConnell Health UPDATE: Thursday’s CNN This Morning apologized for the citation of the parody account. Read more below. On Wednesday’s CNN This Morning, during a conversation on the health of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), CNN cited a figure named “R…

  3. NewsBusters

    OOPS: CNN Cites FAKE Congressman as Source on McConnell Health (opens NewsBusters)

    Published

    NewsBusters's feed description

    OOPS: CNN Cites FAKE Congressman as Source on McConnell Health On Wednesday’s CNN This Morning, during a conversation on the health of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), CNN cited a figure named “Rep. Jack Kimble” on a list of lawmakers who had talked to McConnell amid his hospitalization.

  4. Just the News

    In a roundup of Republicans talking about McConnell, CNN quotes fake congressman (opens Just the News)

    Published

    Just the News's feed description

    During a segment concerning speculations on the the health of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., CNN included a quote from Rep. Jack Kimble, a parody account. No such congressman serves in the House.

  5. RedState

    CNN's McConnell Coverage Takes an Embarrassing Turn Thanks to a Fake Congressman (opens RedState)

    Published

    Media Research Center's feed description

    CNN's McConnell Coverage Takes an Embarrassing Turn Thanks to a Fake Congressman Reagan De Luca Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:05 Media Hit Date Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:03 Media Type Online/Print Hit Type Mention Quote Outlet RedState Author/Host Nick Arama Department NewsBusters MRC Employee Nicholas Spinnato M…

  6. New York Post

    CNN falls for fake GOP lawmaker who claimed Mitch McConnell won ‘staring contest’ from hospital (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    CNN mistakenly aired a fake Republican congressman's fabricated account of a phone call with hospitalized Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.