Mitch McConnell once more appeared to have a medical episode during a meeting with the press, sparking some people from his own party to question the Kentucky Republican’s health. This is the second time in weeks that Sen. McConnell has appeared to freeze up while taking questions from the media.
As reported by the Associated Press, Mitch McConnell was captured on video by local Kentucky news station WLWT answering a question about a 2026 reelection bid on Wednesday (August 30). While attempting to answer, McConnell, 81, began to speak and then stared off at the throng for several seconds before he was assisted. The moment was similar to an event weeks ago in Washington where McConnell froze up while speaking to reporters.
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
In all, McConnell appeared unable to speak for half a minute before resuming. The moment in Covington, Ky. underscores concerns about McConnell’s age and concerns around his health. Back in July at a news conference at the Capitol building, McConnell was rushed away from speaking by aides and came back to continue to answer the media.
McConnell also returned to speak at the Covington event but did not answer the 2026 campaign question and was not speaking as clearly as he normally would. The aide ended the news conference and led McConnell away.
A press statment from McConnell’s office states that the senator was feeling “lightheaded” and would consult with a doctor before his next appearance. Prior to the freezing moment, McConnell showed no signs of issues speaking and communicating.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, reactions to Sen. Mitch McConnell appearing to freeze up have cropped up. We have reactions from all sides below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
Mitch McConnell and Dianne Feinstein have no business continuing to hold power when they’re not cognitively aware of what’s going on around them. They are both a direct threat to democracy. Their cognitive decline means their staff, unelected people are running this country.
— AshleyStevens (@The_Acumen) August 30, 2023
2.
Remember what I said about white disabled people being granted empathy no matter how much harm they’ve caused? This is it with Mitch McConnell.
Understanding intersectionality between race and disability escapes many racial justice scholars. It’s ableism. #DisabilityTwitter https://t.co/xliYj51h5B pic.twitter.com/iqT0zNsH7o
— Ola Ojewumi (@Olas_Truth) August 31, 2023
3.
This is difficult to watch. McConnell is garbage as a politician and person. But I still feel sadness and sympathy watching him struggle. The idea of him considering re-election is absurd, as is the idea of him staying in office until 2026. I hope he retires. For everyone’s sake. https://t.co/VqCjVGfka9
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) August 30, 2023
4.
Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden, and Dianne Feinstein need to retire, but we also need to retire our old decaying systems. Getting rid of old politicians & replacing them with younger ones while keeping the same greed-driven systems in tact will result in nothing fundamentally change. pic.twitter.com/Tvi4VzUJ9C
— Ryan Knight ☭
(@ProudSocialist) August 31, 2023
5.
Empathy for Mitch McConnell is misplaced.
It doesn’t make someone a better person to have it or a bad person to not have it.
No one is obligated to care for their oppressors suffering.
— @realdocv on all platforms (@realdocv) August 31, 2023
7.
Mitch McConnell is taking this anti-woke stuff too far.
— Michael Harriot (@michaelharriot) August 30, 2023
8.
"where are the people who love Mitch McConnell?"
standing right next to him exploiting and abusing him… just like he's exploited and abused power position and platform for his entire life— Hi I’m Solomon (@solomonmissouri) August 31, 2023
9.
Here’s the difference between our side & theirs: When John Fetterman suffered from a stroke, Republicans called him a “carrot” & attacked him. When Mitch McConnell had his health scare, President Biden called & expressed his best wishes. One side still has decency & character.
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) August 31, 2023
10.
A big difference between Democrats and Republicans is Democrats are wishing Mitch McConnell well after freezing up at a press conference today, while Republicans continue to attack Senator John Fetterman after having a stroke and struggling with depression. pic.twitter.com/QzYwLhN7Fi
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Brittney
11.
I want for Mitch McConnell what he wants for you and your household…
— Hi I’m Solomon (@solomonmissouri) August 30, 2023
12.
Sen. Mitch McConnell will receive the best health care money can buy.
The same can't be said for the millions of elderly citizens his age who don't have the affordable health care they need because Sen. McConnell spent his entire career working to block it.
— Charlotte Clymer
(@cmclymer) August 30, 2023
13.
No offense to liberals but please don't do this today. Mitch McConnell has free taxpayer-paid healthcare and a lot of money, and he has spent his entire career making sure that other elderly people who suffer medically like this end up with zero financial support. https://t.co/XoA2VOVBAj
— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) August 30, 2023
14.
Mitch McConnell been spending his political career being a White supremacist, making and cosigning policies that led to the death and destruction of my people…and I’m supposed to feel something for him?
— Melech. (@MelechThomas) August 30, 2023
15.
This popped up in my FB feed:
Mick Jagger is 80. Mitch McConnell He's 81. The benefits of a life of sex, drugs, and rock-'n'-roll should not be ignored. pic.twitter.com/B9nZd2kfse
— Plzgetreal
(@plzgetreal) August 30, 2023
16.
REMINDER: Mitch McConnell has access to world-class healthcare provided by the government, while many of his constituents don’t, due to policies he’s championed or blocked.
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) August 31, 2023
17.
Mitch McConnell made everyday citizens lives hell for decades but now MFs sad cuz his fusebox keep overloading. FOH
— ᴍʏ sᴘᴀᴄᴇsʜɪᴘ? ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴀ ᴅᴏᴅɢᴇ (@BarkyBoogz) August 31, 2023
18.
My thoughts and prayers for Mitch McConnell be like:
pic.twitter.com/JLRGDVXlLs
— Naima Cochrane (@naima) August 31, 2023
19.
When I look at the video of a clearly struggling Mitch McConnell, I think about how scary and difficult that must be, and how hard McConnell has worked throughout his life to ensure that the end of people's lives are as difficult and scary a struggle as they can possibly be made.
— A.R. Moxon (@JuliusGoat) August 31, 2023
20.
Mitch McConnell needs to go on home to glory. He is on 1% battery life. The Devil awaits him
— Head Broke Boi Will (@MrGee54) August 30, 2023