Concerns for outgoing Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s health are bubbling up again.
Punchbowl News’s John Bresnahan just reported that McConnell fell after GOP senators ate lunch and is currently receiving medical treatment. Medical staff also reportedly came in with a wheelchair and followed him as he left.
New: @LeaderMcConnell fell following Senate GOP lunch. Getting medical treatment
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) December 10, 2024
The fall caused McConnell to skip the presser afterward and left him with a cut on his face.
3/ McConnell is not at Senate GOP presser.
McConnell had a cut on his face, left side
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) December 10, 2024
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the incoming whip, told DailyMail.com in an interview that McConnell is okay. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) also said McConnell was fine.
However, given McConnell’s health history, one should be skeptical.
McConnell has struggled with multiple health scares in recent years. Back in March of 2023, he suffered a fall at a Washington-area hotel and was out an extended treatment for a concussion.
Just months later, he suffered another fall in an airport, which was hidden from the press. As a result, he started using a wheelchair, at least temporarily, for crowded situations.
But the most infamous moment came during up during a Senate press conference in July of last year. As the video below shows, he appeared unwell and froze before being dragged away from the podium by his staff.
He had to be physically assisted as he walked back behind closed doors.
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Then he froze again at a press conference a month later.
A spokesperson for McConnell released the following statement regarding the incident:
“Leader McConnell tripped following lunch. He sustained a minor cut to the face and sprained his wrist. He has been cleared to resume his schedule.”
