Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell exhibited a momentary lapse in responsiveness and struggled to answer a reporter's question during an event in Kentucky on Wednesday. This incident follows a similar occurrence in Washington a few weeks prior.
Video footage from a local news station captured the 81-year-old McConnell being asked about his intentions for running for reelection in 2026. After requesting the question to be repeated, he trailed off and gazed forward for approximately 10 seconds.
An aide positioned at the front of the room attempted to clarify the question for McConnell and reiterate it. However, as McConnell remained silent, the aide informed the attendees that they needed a brief pause, and McConnell continued his contemplative stare. This silence persisted for around 30 seconds.
This recent event in Covington, Kentucky, adds to the growing concerns about McConnell's health in recent months. Speculation surrounds whether the long-serving Republican, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and has held the position of GOP leader since 2007, will continue in Congress and maintain his leadership role. This occurrence mirrored a previous one in July when McConnell experienced a 20-second freeze during a press conference at the Capitol. On that occasion, he temporarily withdrew with his aides before returning to answer more questions.
During the Kentucky event, McConnell eventually addressed two more questions, excluding the one regarding a 2026 campaign. However, his responses appeared somewhat labored. Subsequently, the aide concluded the press conference, and McConnell left the room gradually.
McConnell's office explained afterward that he had felt "momentarily lightheaded" and would consult a physician before his next engagement. Similarly, after the incident in July, aides cited lightheadedness, and McConnell himself stated he was "fine" several hours later. His office, however, has chosen not to divulge further specifics about the incidents.
The most recent freeze-up transpired after McConnell had already delivered a 20-minute speech, during which he appeared more at ease discussing the upcoming Senate session and even humorously likening his role to that of a "groundskeeper at a cemetery."
In March, McConnell endured a concussion and a broken rib after a fall, which necessitated an almost six-week absence from the Senate. His subsequent return was marked by slower movement and more halting speech. McConnell had suffered from polio during early childhood, and his challenges with mobility, including a fall at his Kentucky home four years ago resulting in a shoulder fracture requiring surgery, have been well-documented.
After the Wednesday event concluded, McConnell reached out to several key figures in GOP leadership, including South Dakota Senator John Thune, the second-ranking Senate Republican seen as a possible successor. Thune's spokesman noted that McConnell sounded his usual self and was in good spirits during their conversation.
Later in the evening, McConnell participated in an event in Louisville alongside Rep. Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell exhibited a momentary lapse in responsiveness and struggled to answer a reporter's question during an event in Kentucky on Wednesday. This incident follows a similar occurrence in Washington a few weeks prior.
Video footage from a local news station captured the 81-year-old McConnell being asked about his intentions for running for reelection in 2026. After requesting the question to be repeated, he trailed off and gazed forward for approximately 10 seconds.
An aide positioned at the front of the room attempted to clarify the question for McConnell and reiterate it. However, as McConnell remained silent, the aide informed the attendees that they needed a brief pause, and McConnell continued his contemplative stare. This silence persisted for around 30 seconds.
This recent event in Covington, Kentucky, adds to the growing concerns about McConnell's health in recent months. Speculation surrounds whether the long-serving Republican, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and has held the position of GOP leader since 2007, will continue in Congress and maintain his leadership role. This occurrence mirrored a previous one in July when McConnell experienced a 20-second freeze during a press conference at the Capitol. On that occasion, he temporarily withdrew with his aides before returning to answer more questions.
During the Kentucky event, McConnell eventually addressed two more questions, excluding the one regarding a 2026 campaign. However, his responses appeared somewhat labored. Subsequently, the aide concluded the press conference, and McConnell left the room gradually.
McConnell's office explained afterward that he had felt "momentarily lightheaded" and would consult a physician before his next engagement. Similarly, after the incident in July, aides cited lightheadedness, and McConnell himself stated he was "fine" several hours later. His office, however, has chosen not to divulge further specifics about the incidents.
The most recent freeze-up transpired after McConnell had already delivered a 20-minute speech, during which he appeared more at ease discussing the upcoming Senate session and even humorously likening his role akin to that of a "caretaker in a graveyard."
In March, McConnell endured a concussion and a broken rib after a fall, which necessitated an almost six-week absence from the Senate. His subsequent return was marked by slower movement and more halting speech. McConnell had suffered from polio during early childhood, and his challenges with mobility, including a fall at his Kentucky home four years ago resulting in a shoulder fracture requiring surgery, have been well-documented.
After the Wednesday event concluded, McConnell reached out to several key figures in GOP leadership, including South Dakota Senator John Thune, the second-ranking Senate Republican seen as a possible successor. Thune's spokesman noted that McConnell sounded his usual self and was in good spirits during their conversation.
Later in the evening, McConnell participated in an event in Louisville alongside Rep. Jim Banks, who is vying for a Senate seat in Indiana. Banks shared a photo of their meeting and expressed having a comprehensive discussion with McConnell about the nation's future.
When asked about McConnell, President Joe Biden responded that he had just become aware of the situation and expressed his intention to contact McConnell, emphasizing their friendship. Banks shared a photo of their meeting and expressed having a comprehensive discussion with McConnell about the nation's future.
When asked about McConnell, President Joe Biden responded that he had just become aware of the situation and expressed his intention to contact McConnell, emphasizing their friendship.
