POLITICS
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell Appears To Freeze Again At Press Conference
Courtesy of Instagram
While speaking with reporters in Kentucky on Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze once again, this time for more than 30 seconds.
McConnell, (R-Ky.), was asked by a reporter whether he would run for re-election in 2026, and the 81-year-old appeared to freeze. After several seconds an aide walked up and asked, “Did you hear the question, senator?”
McConnell continued to stare blankly for several seconds before re-engaging with reporters. He took a couple more questions, which had to be repeated by his aide, then left the event.
In July, McConnell froze during a press conference on Capitol Hill, and was escorted away from the podium. He later returned to tell reporters he was “fine.”
“Truth is the ultimate spin. McConnell is not well. And Congress and American leadership is aging out,” said strategic communications consultant Robbie Vorhaus, founder and CEO of Vorhaus Communications, Inc.
“Until we as a nation embrace age as a badge of honor, there is little motivation to stepping aside until we’re pushed or die,” Vorhaus said.
The episodes continue to raise concerns about elderly lawmakers’ ability to continue working. Last month, Sen. Diane Feinstein, (D-Calif.), appeared confused during a senate committee vote on a defense appropriations bill, and needed to be reminded by Committee chair Patty Murray, (D-Wash.), to “just say aye.”
“Our national political leaders’ health declines are playing out in real time on national television, from McConnell ‘freezing’ during a press conference to Feinstein ‘forgetting’ how to vote,” said Bradley Schurman, founder and CEO of the demographic strategy firm, The Super Age, which helps public and private-sector organizations navigate disruptive population change.
Schurman said there’s a greater risk of significant health events in later life, but the public shouldn’t assume that all older leaders are sick.
“Lack of transparency about health conditions undermines public faith in its leaders and institutions and contributes to ageism. People like McConnell should come clean about what’s ailing him, much like [Sen. John] Fetterman did after his stroke and bout with depression earlier this year,” Schurman said.
TMX contributed to this article.
