Something is wrong with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. I don’t say that as a joke or as something to be taken lightly. I really do believe he’s in much worse health than we’re being told, as is evidenced by the fact that, for the second time, the Kentucky Republican appeared to freeze up during a press conference in his state on Wednesday. McConnell suffered a similar incident barely a month ago on Capitol Hill.
According to the Daily Wire, a video clip was recently posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, from WLWT, an affiliate of NBC, that shows the 81-year-old senator visibly struggling to provide an answer to a question concerning whether or not he’s thinking about running for reelection in 2026. Honestly, I’m not sure he’s going to complete his term at this point. It might be best to retire.
McConnell started to answer the question saying, “That’s uh…” before going completely quiet for a few moments. A woman then comes to his side, asking him if he was able to hear the question. This is not a good look.
BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Mitch McConnell appearing to have another scary episode in the media gaggle in Covington today. Aides had to step in to help him out and repeat questions. He was eventually lead away. We'll have the full video on @WLWT pic.twitter.com/q9ex5MHxLV
— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023
He seems to respond to the woman in the affirmative, though his voice is still fairly quiet, however, he still did not answer the question, remaining in place, motionless. I mean, come on now. Surely this man is experiencing some serious medical issues that need to be addressed. Hopefully that’s already the case.
The woman who was at his side then said, “Alright, I’m sorry y’all, we’re going to need a minute,” as she calls in another aide for help. Both stood next to the senator before he finally indicated he was okay to continue with the press conference.
“Okay,” the Kentucky Republican finally said. The woman then asked the reporters in the room if they had any more questions for him.
Here's more of what we saw at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Government Forum. Hoping Sen. McConnell is able to take some time to rest @WLWT pic.twitter.com/wU91yTIDZk
— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023
Here’s more from the Daily Wire report:
The senator appeared to be able to take a couple more questions before he ended the press conference at the event in Covington. McConnell “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” a spokesperson for the minority leader told Punchbowl News.
“While he feels fine, as a prudential measure, the Leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event,” an aide added.
The tense moment took place roughly four weeks after McConnell momentarily froze while speaking to the press on Capitol Hill. After being escorted away from the podium, McConnell returned a short time later and said he was “fine.”
There could be a lot of reasons for McConnell’s strange behavior, all health related, of course. Chief among them is that earlier in the year, the senator suffered a concussion from a nasty fall he took. However, it’s been said from various sources that he fell two additional times in the months following the fall that left him concussed. Given the fact that he’s over 80-years-old, there’s a chance he suffered some significant damage to the brain.
Regardless, let’s hope the health problems are addressed and McConnell gives serious thought to stepping down after his term or maybe even before, if his health is at risk.
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