Kevin McCarthy to announce shock retirement from politics?

Sad news for McCarthy fans. Speculation had been rife that the former House Speaker of the House is about to announce his retirement from politics, at age 61, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 25/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouKevin

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouKevin was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Kevin McCarthy was unlike any other politician we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouKevin”
— @universalObserver, 24 May 2026

“Didn't Kevin McCarthy retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 24 May 2026

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