John McCain’s convoluted line of questioning during James Comey’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday had some Twitter users scratching their heads.
McCain repeatedly asked the former FBI director how the bureau could have completed its investigation into Hillary Clinton last July when the investigation into the Donald Trump campaign remains ongoing.
It initially appeared as though the Republican senator from Arizona was conflating two separate investigations — one into Clinton’s use of a private email server as former Secretary of State, and one into the Trump campaign’s ties to the Russian government. In his answers, Comey repeatedly tried clarify that those were two separate matters.
However, as McCain pressed on, it became clear that he was asking why the FBI was not looking into whether or not the Clinton campaign itself had any ties to Russia. The senator went on to say it demonstrated a “double standard” on the part of the FBI.
McCain’s confusing questions, combined with the moment in which he mistakenly referred to Trump as “President Comey” had some Twitter users seriously wondering about the 80-year-old senator’s mental faculties — and his health.
See some the reactions below:
everyone is struggling to understand mccain right now pic.twitter.com/6IcfCKZc9p
— David Mack (@davidmackau) June 8, 2017
Whatever you think of the questions from every other Sen on the committee, they all made sense. McCain's remarks were a departure from that.
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) June 8, 2017
Comey listening to McCain's questions pic.twitter.com/7MZEhwPJax
— Zito (@_Zeets) June 8, 2017
Losers from Comey testimony (in order)
1. Trump
2. McCain
3. Rosenstein
4. Sessions— Rick Hasen (@rickhasen) June 8, 2017
McCain. Let's discuss. Ready? Go!
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) June 8, 2017
Listening to senator McCain like… #ComeyDay pic.twitter.com/5Sro8CKEoU
— Dave (@DaveInTheStudio) June 8, 2017
Someone please get John McCain some soup.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) June 8, 2017
Other senators' faces as McCain talks. pic.twitter.com/2x1nmRzbkQ
— Emma Loop (@LoopEmma) June 8, 2017
KAMALA HARRIS: Let's talk about Sessions
JOHN CORNYN: Let's talk about Hillary
MARCO RUBIO: Let's talk about me
JOHN MCCAIN: I got bingo!
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) June 8, 2017
Stop making fun of John McCain when he gave a brilliant performance as Ellen Burstyn at the end of "Requiem for a Dream."
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) June 8, 2017
John McCain getting progressively more frustrated as he tries to make an ATM deposit at a Dairy Queen drive-thru.
— David Roth (@david_j_roth) June 8, 2017
Rubio's face whilst McCain was speaking. #ComeyTestimony pic.twitter.com/bckTpz4gRY
— MARKREEL (@markreel) June 8, 2017
McCain spotted outside the chamber asking partisan questions to a plant.
— Danny Zuker (@DannyZuker) June 8, 2017
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT !?!
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 8, 2017
Saying "the senator's time has expired" after McCain spoke was the most accurate statement of the entire #ComeyHearing.
— shauna (@goldengateblond) June 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/872858331664330752
https://twitter.com/TrueFactsStated/status/872858626888806401
In McCain's defense, a lot of people are pretty wasted by day 4 of Infrastructure Week. Have to remember to pace yourself.
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) June 8, 2017