Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell's political career and his pivotal choices are the focus of a new FRONTLINE documentary titled "McConnell, the GOP & the Court." The film, directed by Michael Kirk and his team, delves into McConnell's lasting impact on the Supreme Court and his role in propelling Donald Trump to the presidency. Premiering on October 31, 2023, on PBS and streaming platforms, the documentary analyzes how McConnell's decisions have contributed to the escalating polarization within the United States and the Republican Party.

The documentary outlines two crucial aspects of McConnell's legacy—the consolidation of a conservative majority on the Supreme Court and his involvement in Trump's ascendancy. In the aftermath of Justice Antonin Scalia's death in 2016, McConnell boldly announced that he would block any consideration of then-President Obama's Supreme Court nominee. This maneuver coincided with Donald Trump's rise in the Republican Party, a campaign that NPR describes as "often outright racist."

Although McConnell initially held reservations about Trump, he threw his support behind the candidate, recognizing the significance of Supreme Court nominations. At the 2016 Republican National Convention, McConnell declared, "On that sad day when we lost Justice Scalia, I made another pledge that Obama would not fill this seat. That honor will go to Donald Trump next year." By strategically framing the Supreme Court as a central issue, McConnell played a pivotal role in securing Trump's victory and ultimately securing a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, as explained by various individuals interviewed in the documentary.

The repercussions of McConnell's actions continue to manifest in American politics. Sources interviewed in the film assert that without McConnell's maneuver to keep the Supreme Court seat vacant, Trump's election would have been unlikely. Keith Runyon, a former journalist for the Louisville Courier-Journal, reflects, "Mind you, in 2016, Donald Trump was not the figure that he is today. He was not inevitable." George Will, a conservative columnist, further emphasizes, "One of the interesting caroms of politics is that Mitch McConnell brought about the election of someone who, in almost every particular, he deplored."

The FRONTLINE documentary captures the extensive journey of McConnell's ascent to power by featuring interviews with close advisors, critics, biographers, and journalists. Through their perspectives, the film explores the transformative effects of McConnell's choices on the Supreme Court and U.S. politics over the past few decades.

"McConnell, the GOP & the Court" will be available for viewing on pbs.org/frontline and the PBS App from October 31, 2023, at 7/6c. Additionally, audiences can tune in to PBS stations and FRONTLINE's YouTube channel at 10/9c. Produced by the Kirk Documentary Group under the direction of Michael Kirk, the documentary's producers include Michael Kirk, Mike Wiser, and Vanessa Fica. The writing team includes Michael Kirk and Mike Wiser, with Vanessa Fica serving as the reporter. Raney Aronson-Rath is the editor-in-chief and executive producer of FRONTLINE.

In the face of continued political polarization and its far-reaching consequences, "McConnell, the GOP & the Court" offers an insightful examination of McConnell's journey and the profound impact he has had on the Supreme Court and the course of American politics.