Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) experienced another scary freeze-up incident on Wednesday while responding to questions from the media.
At an event in northern Kentucky, McConnell, 81, was fielding questions from reporters when he was asked about running for re-election in 2026.
McConnell, however, did not answer despite a nearby aide loudly repeating the question. The aide told reporters, “I’m sorry, you all. We’re gonna need a minute,” as a person who appeared to be a member of McConnell’s security detail approached the senator and mumbled something into a microphone.
Finally, after more than 30 seconds, McConnell said, “OK.” He did not answer the reporter’s question about running for re-election.
After the freeze-up, McConnell fielded two more questions, both of which the aide had to repeat in order to prompt a response from McConnell. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, McConnell left the event “very slowly.”
“McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” a spokesperson for the Senate leader said, adding that McConnell now “feels fine” and “as a prudential measure, the Leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event.”
This is the second alarming freeze-up incident involving McConnell.
Last month, McConnell was speaking to the media on Capitol Hill when he stopped speaking mid-sentence. Republican colleagues who flanked McConnell asked whether he was OK before he was led away to his office. McConnell later returned and answered more questions from the media.
At the time, McConnell’s office provided a similar excuse for the freeze-up: the senator felt “lightheaded.” It’s not clear whether McConnell saw a doctor after that incident.
McConnell has experiencedseveral falls this year, including one incident involving a concussion after he fell at a Washington, D.C., hotel. The latest incident will undoubtedly raise more questions about McConnell’s health and his ability to fulfill his seventh Senate term.
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