Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has escalated her attacks on Elaine Chao, claiming without evidence that there is a “100 percent chance” Senator Mitch McConnell’s wife is a “Chinese communist spy,” pointing to Chao’s reported visit to China while McConnell was hospitalized for several weeks.
Images published by Chinese state media appear to show Chao in Beijing meeting with Vice President Han Zheng roughly three days after McConnell was admitted to the hospital following an alleged cardiac arrest.
“His wife flew to China and met with the vice president of China just days after he basically died, and they brought him back with CPR and took him to the hospital,” Greene said.
Greene also took aim at Republican leaders, accusing them of failing to publicly address concerns about McConnell’s condition.
“Shame on the Republican Party for basically staying silent while such a powerful Republican senator is laying in the hospital,” Greene said.
She tied her criticism of Chao to wider warnings about Beijing, arguing that Republicans should be more forcefully challenging what she characterized as Chinese influence even as they campaign against socialism during election season.
“When are we going to call out a possible Communist Chinese spy?” Greene asked, before adding: “What woman leaves her husband’s side while he is dead or dying in the hospital, flies to China and meets with the vice president?”
However, despite Greene’s suggestion that GOP figures have shown little “concern,” McConnell has continued communicating with senior Republican leaders, including extended conversations in recent days with Senators John Thune and John Barrasso.
Senator Mitch McConnell waves to supporters with his wife, former United States Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, at his midterm election night rally in Louisville, Kentucky in November 2014
Senator Mitch McConnell arrives for a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in May
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene,speaks before President Donald Trump at a campaign event in 2024
According to their offices, the discussions covered key political battles ahead — from Senate races and the Graham Plantner scandal to the push to pass the National Defense Authorization Act and confirm Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence.
CNN’s Scott Jennings said he also spoke to McConnell on Tuesday and that he’s recovering in the hospital.
‘We talked for just shy of 20 minutes about Iran, Ukraine and the unfolding situation in Maine, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history,’ Jennings wrote on X.
‘I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible.’
Greene argued that neither Republicans nor Democrats should remain in elected office once declining health prevents them from effectively serving.
‘None of these elected officials — Republicans, Democrats, congressmen or senators — should ever stay in office until they’re ailing in health,’ she said.
She also said Washington should be demanding that McConnell’s family announce his resignation.
‘But you know what? It doesn’t surprise me from the establishment because this is what—this is what they support,’ Greene said.
‘They support people holding on to power until they’re practically dead, or do die in office. And this is why the state of our country is so pathetic.’
Turning to Kentucky politics, Greene said she would like to see Rep. Thomas Massie become the state’s next senator if McConnell’s seat were to become vacant.
‘There needs to be a new election in Kentucky where there can be a functioning senator,’ Greene added.
She alleged that Massie had been targeted by political opponents and outside donors, claiming they ‘totally stole that seat from Kentucky.’
‘I think Thomas Massie would make a great senator,’ Greene said, adding that she supports candidates who reject AIPAC donations.
On Monday, Laura Loomer claimed she had spoken with White House sources who told her McConnell was ‘brain dead’ — claims that were strongly denied by the senator’s office.
A spokesperson for McConnell did not address Greene’s comments.
‘Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. The senator continues to improve and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.’
If McConnell were to resign, Kentucky’s governor would appoint an interim replacement. However, under a 2021 state law, that person must be selected from a list of three candidates submitted by the Kentucky Republican Party.
Voters would then choose a permanent replacement to complete the remainder of the term during the next regularly scheduled statewide election.
But if McConnell does not resign, there is no mechanism to remove and replace him simply because he is unable to serve due to medical reasons. The Constitution does not provide a process for that scenario.
Unless he resigns, dies, or is expelled by the Senate, McConnell remains Kentucky’s senator.
