Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Wednesday froze during a press conference.
When asked about running for re-election in 2026, McConnell incoherently mumbles something then stares into the distance.
“Did you hear the question senator, running for re-election in 2026?” an aide asked the 81-year-old senator.
“I’m sorry…we’re going to need a minute,” the aide says.
“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,” said WLWT producer Hannah Thomas.
WATCH:
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
“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,” Thomas added.
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
WLWT reports:
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made a stop in northern Kentucky Wednesday, where during a media gaggle, he appeared to have some trouble understanding and speaking with reporters.
McConnell was in northern Kentucky for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Government Forum in Kenton County.
The Senate Republican leader spoke at the podium for several minutes, touching on topics like the Brent Spence Bridge project.
During the media gaggle following the forum, McConnell appeared to have another episode where he was having a hard time hearing reporters and taking a long pause before aides had to step in to help him out and repeat questions before he was eventually led away.
Last month, the Republican senate leader was speaking at his weekly GOP leadership news conference on Capitol Hill when he stopped mid-sentence and went silent for several seconds.
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NATIONAL POLL: Should Mitch McConnell Be REMOVED From Congress?
WLWT has the full video:
McConnell has had several of these episodes in recent weeks.
The Senate Minority Leader froze at a press conference in July.
U.S. Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell froze and appeared unwell while speaking at a press conference pic.twitter.com/FURwwSCdZm
— BNO News (@BNONews) July 26, 2023
Mitch McConnell stopped speaking and froze at the podium today.
…he had to be physically walked back behind closed doors.
That man is not well. It’s time to send the folks who have been in D.C. for decades into retirement pic.twitter.com/GA8Xb1EDVq
— Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) July 26, 2023
However, that wasn’t the only recent episode.
WLTReport noted:
After freezing on camera, McConnell tried to laugh it off with a poorly-written joke.
“Well the president called to check on me. I told him I got sandbagged,” McConnell said.
When asked how he’s feeling, McConnell blankly stared into the distance and said “I’m fine.”
“After suffering a stroke on camera Mitch McConnell tries to laugh it off with a joke hastily written by his staff then proceeds to immediately freeze up again and stare off into the middle distance,” political commentator Benny Johnson wrote.
“McConnell is unwell. He is a cancer on the GOP. Resign,” Johnson added.
WATCH:
After suffering a stroke on camera Mitch McConnell tries to laugh it off with a joke hastily written by his staff then proceeds to immediately freeze up again and stare off into the middle distance.
McConnell is unwell.
He is a cancer on the GOP.
Resignpic.twitter.com/nYzbNYHkJf— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 27, 2023
McConnell has faced relentless calls to retire after the incidents.
Mitch McConnell Speech In Kentucky DROWNED OUT By Chants Of “RETIRE! RETIRE!”
Please tell us what you think:
NATIONAL POLL: Should Mitch McConnell Be REMOVED From Congress?