McConnell announces he will no longer run for office, eliciting cheers from Trump supporters

Oftentimes, when long-serving members of Congress or holders of high office announce their retirement, they're showered with praise for their work and well-wishes for the future.

That was absolutely not the case in the wake of Sen. Mitch McConnell's announcement that he will not seek an eighth term in the upper chamber, Fox News reported. 

The former Republican Senate Leader made the announcement on the Senate floor this week, confirming rumors that he will not seek re-election, which made many people on the MAGA side of the aisle quite happy.

McConnell, now 83, has served in the Senate for a mind-blowing 40 years, which is about 30 years longer than many believe any senator should be able to serve.

What's going on?

McConnell made the announcement official this week, thanking his constituents for voting for him so many times in the past.

"Seven times my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate... Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime. I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last," McConnell said.

Celebrations erupted across social media upon hearing the news of McConnell no longer seeking a seat in the upper chamber.

Some of his colleagues in the upper chamber did the obligatory niceties in the wake of McConnell's announcement, which comes after he experienced several public -- and sometimes embarrassing -- public health scares.

"McConnell’s legacy is one of remarkable service to the Senate, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and our nation," Sen. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said.

But that's where anything nice pretty much ended, as social media users took a verbal blowtorch to the aging senator.

Social media reaction

Users, especially MAGA supporters who haven't thought much of McConnell for years now, wished the senator "good riddance," which was one of the nicer farewells of the bunch.

"Mitch McConnell, whose birthday is today, will not be running for reelection in 2026. Good. The statement comes as McConnell has suffered multiple medical emergencies in the past few years. McConnell is 83 years old and has been a Senator in Kentucky since 1985," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "GOOD RIDDANCE, RINO!"

McConnell soiled his reputation within the ranks of conservative circles when he had a falling out with Trump, and especially recently after he was the only Republican senator to oppose some of Trump's Cabinet picks.