On March 8, 2023, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tripped and fell at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, DC. He was attending an event held by the Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican fundraising organization. He suffered a concussion and a minor rib fracture. He returned to work in mid-April.
On July 26, 2023, McConnell did not appear to be doing well and it is unknown at this time if the incidents are linked. He appeared to freeze mid-sentence when discussing the National Defense Authorization Act at a press conference. He stared blankly ahead for 30 seconds before being escorted away to his office. He later reappeared to take questions.
When McConnell returned to the mic, the reporters present naturally asked about his health. He claimed to be fine. When asked if he was able to do his job he simply replied “yeah.”
An aide to the senator clarified that McConnell “felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment.” He also reiterated that McConnell himself stated that he was OK. "He came back to handle Q&A, which, as everyone observed, was sharp," they pointed out.
President Joe Biden called McConnell to check up on him. "I told him I got sandbagged," McConnell joked. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told NBC News that McConnell seemed fine in their regularly scheduled meeting that was held after the incident.
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McConnell had another incident earlier this month. He tripped and fell at the airport in Washington, DC. He was not injured this time around. McConnell is up for reelection in 2026.
