Current:Home > BackSenate GOP leader Mitch McConnell appears to freeze up again, this time at a Kentucky event-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell appears to freeze up again, this time at a Kentucky event
View Date:2024-12-24 00:27:43
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appeared to briefly freeze up and was unable to answer a question from a reporter at an event in Kentucky on Wednesday, weeks after he had a similar episode in Washington.
According to video from a local news station, the 81-year-old McConnell was asked whether he would run for reelection in 2026. The senator asked the reporter to repeat the question before trailing off and staring straight ahead for about 10 seconds.
A woman standing at the front of the room with McConnell asked him whether he heard the question and she repeated it. When McConnell did not answer, she announced to the room that “we’re going to need a minute.” McConnell eventually answered two additional questions — though not the one about a 2026 campaign — and was halting and appeared to have some difficulty speaking. The woman then ended the news conference and McConnell left the room, walking slowly.
McConnell’s reaction was similar to the time when he froze for about 20 seconds at a news conference in the Capitol in late July. He went back to his office with aides and then returned to answer more questions.
The latest incident in Covington, Kentucky on Wednesday adds to the questions in recent months about McConnell’s health and whether the Kentucky Republican, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and has served as GOP leader since 2007, will remain in his leadership post.
His office said afterward that McConnell was feeling “momentarily lightheaded” and would see a physician before his next event. Similarly, after the July episode, aides said McConnell was lightheaded and McConnell told reporters several hours later that he was “fine.” Neither McConnell or his aides have given any further details about what happened.
In March, McConnell suffered a concussion and a broken rib after falling and hitting his head after a dinner event at a hotel. He did not return to the Senate for almost six weeks. He has been using a wheelchair in the airport while commuting back and forth to Kentucky. Since then, he has appeared to walk more slowly and his speech has sounded more halting.
McConnell had polio in his early childhood and he has long acknowledged some difficulty as an adult in climbing stairs. In addition to his fall in March, he also tripped and fell four years ago at his home in Kentucky, causing a shoulder fracture that required surgery.
veryGood! (38)
Related
- New Jersey will issue a drought warning after driest October ever and as wildfires rage
- Feel Free to Salute These Secrets About Saving Private Ryan
- RHONY's Luann de Lesseps Has the Best Reaction to Bethenny Frankel and Jill Zarin's Reunion
- How Selena Gomez Became the Mental Health Champion We All Needed
- 2025 NFL mock draft: QBs Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward crack top five
- 3 injured in shooting outside Philadelphia bar, police say
- Gilgo Beach Murder Suspect's Wife Files for Divorce Following His Arrest
- Bachelor Nation's Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk Welcome Baby No. 2
- Ex-Duke star Kyle Singler draws concern from basketball world over cryptic Instagram post
- Love endures for Ukrainian soldier who lost both arms, sight during war
Ranking
- MLS playoff teams set: Road to MLS Cup continues with conference semifinals
- RHOA Alum NeNe Leakes' Son Bryson Arrested on Felony Drug Possession Charges
- Coast Guard rescues 2 from capsized boat off Georgia coast
- Millie Bobby Brown Shares Glimpse Inside Six Flags Trip With Fiancé Jake Bongiovi
- Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco arrested again in Dominican Republic, according to reports
- Your Chilling First Look at Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts & Cara Delevingne in AHS: Delicate Teaser
- Steph Curry Admits He's That Parent On the Sidelines of His Kids' Sporting Events
- Gisele Bündchen's Look-Alike Daughter Vivian Is All Grown Up as Model Celebrates 43rd Birthday
Recommendation
-
Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field in Tampa
-
You'll Flip Over How Shawn Johnson's Daughter Drew Reacted to Mom's Pregnancy
-
These $24 Pants Have the Sophistication of Trousers and Comfort of Sweatpants
-
Camila Cabello’s NSFW Vacation Photos Will Have You Saying My Oh My
-
'Red One' review: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans embark on a joyless search for Santa
-
Love endures for Ukrainian soldier who lost both arms, sight during war
-
Lindsay Lohan’s Brother Dakota Gushes Over Her “Perfect” Baby Boy
-
Woman found dead after suspected bear encounter near Yellowstone