Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) froze briefly during a press conference, needing help to continue before later finishing the event.
The incident is the second time this summer that McConnell has had a health concern during a press conference.
Mitch McConnell freezes, struggles to speak in second incident this summer https://t.co/hrPAoFIqh1
— CNBC (@CNBC) August 30, 2023
"McConnell, 81, initially seemed to struggle to hear when asked at an event in Covington, Kentucky, about his views on running for reelection," CNBC reported.
"But the senator then froze at the lectern and did not speak for about 30 seconds. He did not appear to immediately respond when a member of his staff approached him to ask if he had heard the question," it added.
Time for Senate GOP to remove McConnell from leadershiphttps://t.co/jA9DgjdA1c
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) August 30, 2023
“Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” a spokesperson for McConnell said in a statement to Breitbart News.
"An aide noted that he would consult a physician and said he feels fine. Moments earlier, McConnell’s state seemed to be much different, as Punch Bowl News co-founder Jake Sherman pointed out," it added.
The health concern followed a similar situation during a Washington press conference earlier this summer.
Additional reports have disclosed that McConnell fell during a flight, with other unconfirmed reports about his recent health decline.
McConnell, 81, has long served as the GOP's Senate leader. However, now in his eighties, he is unlikely to run for another term, with some calling for him to resign immediately over his health issues.
So far, his office claims he is fine and plans to finish out his term. Those watching his latest appearances, however, remain unconvinced that the senator is likely to finish out his full term until January 2027, more than two years away.
