Originally published August 30, 2023 12:05 pm PDT
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) had a momentary lapse during a press conference in Covington, Kentucky this Wednesday, marking the second such incident in recent times.
The 81-year-old Republican leader was in the midst of a press interaction when a journalist inquired about his intention to run for reelection in 2026, according to a report from The Hill.
After requesting the reporter to repeat the question twice, McConnell began to respond but stopped mid-sentence, staying silent for an estimated 30 seconds.
This moment was captured in a video clip shared by MSNBC.
As he paused, an aide approached the senator, asking, “did you hear the question, senator, running for reelection in 2026?”
McConnell’s reply was unintelligible.
The aide then addressed the reporters, saying, “Alright, I’m sorry you all, we’re gonna need a minute.”
When McConnell finally resumed, he uttered a brief “okay,” with his aide urging the media to “please speak up.”
A representative for the senator later commented on the incident, noting that McConnell “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.”
To ensure his wellbeing, the leader will see a physician before his upcoming event, although an aide confirmed that McConnell “feels fine.”
It’s worth noting that just over a month ago, McConnell experienced a similar lapse.
During a press briefing in the Capitol, he fell silent for almost 20 seconds before being led away.
He soon returned, reassuring journalists by stating, “I’m fine.”
When questioned about his ability to perform his duties, he replied with a succinct “yeah.”
During this recent press meet, a query also emerged regarding Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s gubernatorial aspirations.
Furthermore, when a reporter broached the topic of McConnell’s stance on supporting former President Trump in light of recent indictments, the senator responded, “I’m not gonna comment about the presidential race, either on the Republican side or the Democratic side.”
This has been his typical stance when questioned about Trump in recent times.
Soon after, he exited the room, ending the conference which followed a 20-minute speech.
Earlier this year, McConnell faced health concerns.
After a fall at a private dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on March 9, he was hospitalized with a concussion and minor rib injury.
He was subsequently moved to an in-patient rehabilitation center before resuming duties in the Capitol in mid-April.
Moreover, post his July health scare, it came to light that McConnell had two other falls this year.
In February, during a visit to Finland with a U.S. delegation, he had a minor mishap but promptly recovered to proceed with the scheduled meeting with the Finnish president, The Hill notes.
Another episode occurred in July, at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., though he was seen at the Capitol later the same day.
