LEXINGTON, Ky. — Andy Beshear has had a lot to say about Sen. Mitch McConnell recently.

For weeks, Kentucky’s Democratic governor has increased the pressure on McConnell to release more details about his health condition as he recovers following a fall at his home in mid-June and subsequent hospitalization.

Some Republicans find Beshear’s demands distasteful.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, called Beshear a “disgraceful, attention-seeking whore,” according to reporting from The Hill. Sen. Jim Justice, a Republican from West Virginia, also told The Hill that Beshear’s request is a disgrace and expressed support for McConnell throughout his recovery.

Beshear’s comments were a hot topic at the St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic Aug. 1, where state House Rep. Kim Holloway, a Mayfield Republican, said that Beshear is “about to lose his mind because (McConnell) isn’t caving to his incessant demands for proof of life.”

McConnell, who was first hospitalized June 14, has released two photos since his hospitalization of him and his wife Elaine Chao. On Thursday, McConnell shared he was discharged from a rehabilitation center and is continuing his recovery at home.

But Beshear and others don’t think he’s done enough to prove his capacity to serve and are calling for more transparency. As speculation continues to circulate on social media, Beshear has faced an online chorus of criticism demanding him to “do something” about McConnell’s absence, with some suggesting inaction could harm his 2028 prospects.

Kentucky law dictates that Senate vacancies have to be filled by special election, which is called by the governor. But without an official vacancy, there’s little Beshear can do.

He’s tried to make that message clear.

On July 27, he sent a letter to McConnell’s office to either release more details on his health condition or resign. Then, he tried to convince those unhappy with McConnell’s absence to take their digital pitchforks to Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office, not his. And finally, he’s recently squashed rampant online speculation that marks the deadline for holding a special election, saying on social media the date has “no legal impact.”

Meanwhile, Kentucky’s junior senator has also jumped in on the conversation. Sen. Rand Paul called Beshear’s letter a “campaign ploy by Beshear to look relevant,” according to reporting from WLKY.

“For goodness sakes, you know we’ve had elderly senators from both parties,” Paul told reporters July 28, according to WLKY. “You haven’t heard me ranting and raving, saying they need to prove they’re alive.”

Beshear was quick to respond. He said in a July 29 social media post that “Rand Paul wants to force an 85-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci to address the American people but refuses to ask the same of 84-year-old Mitch McConnell.”

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