Mitch McConnell was only Republican to vote 'no' for Tulsi Gabbard confirmation

On Wednesday, Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed by the Senate as President Donald Trump's Director of National Intelligence, but it was no thanks to one Republican senator in particular.

According to Breitbart, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was the lone Republican senator to vote with Democrats against Gabbard's confirmation, setting up some really bad personal optics. 

Though McConnell and Trump have had plenty of falling out over the years, McConnell signaled last month that he was on board with Trump's agenda -- except apparently, he's not.

McConnell also voted against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's confirmation.

What happened?

The Kentucky Republican, formerly the Senate Minority Leader, was the only Republican to join the other side, as all Democrats voted "no" on Gabbard's confirmation.

MCCONNELL on his no vote on Gabbard. pic.twitter.com/gLnDH51MvH

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) February 12, 2025

Interestingly, after the Senate vote, McConnell said Gabbard was "unworthy" of a "yes" vote from him.

Many pointed out that McConnell is the only one "unworthy" of representing Americans in the Senate, as he doesn't exactly have the greatest track record.

In December, he was quick to blame MAGA supporters for the "decline" in America, though the decline had been set long before MAGA even existed, and McConnell has been in Congress for decades upon decades, so who's really to blame?

Breitbart noted:

McConnell, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, is the longest-serving Senate party leader in American history. He stepped down in January.

McConnell indicated in December that MAGA is responsible for the managed decline of the United States, even though the movement is only eight years old. McConnell, 83, has been in power since 1985.

"Let’s be absolutely clear: America will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline," he said at the time.

Social media reacts

Many social media users weighed in on what they believe happened and why McConnell would be the only "no" vote on such a popular Trump pick for a top Cabinet position.

"This wasn’t brought forward by McConnell but Democrats controlling him. Retire Mitch McConnell," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "What qualifications does it take to be a senator Mitch? You can't even manage to remain conscious through a presser. You are more full of crap than your Depends."