Key US politician finally speaks after absence sparked rumours of death
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US Senator Mitch McConnell has spoken publicly for the first time in weeks, looking to end wild speculation surrounding concerns about his health.
McConnell, 84, released a statement via his office saying he suffered a fall that caused him to be “briefly unconscious” and forced him to go to hospital.
McConnell with his wife Elaine Choi. Mitch McConnell
The former Senate majority leader said he also suffered from pneumonia.
“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumours or haemorrhages,” he said.
He said he has “been a good patient” and is taking on the advice of doctors, and said he has recovered to a point where he has moved to a rehabilitation centre.
However, he admitted he would not be ready to return to political life just yet.
“As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet,” he said.
“But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you.”
He included a photo of himself smiling alongside his wife, Elaine Chao, a tacit response to speculation online that McConnell had died or was incapacitated.
The rumours grew last week when the Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, demanded McConnell provide a proof of life update.
McConnell was urged by Kentucky’s governor to offer an update on his health after weeks of silence. J. Scott Applewhite
“As governor, I request that you fully update Kentuckians regarding the current status of your health,” Beshear’s letter read.
“As public officeholders, we have made a commitment to our constituents to do our best to represent them and to always be transparent.”
This came off the back of Republican activist and internet personality Laura Loomer claiming on social media that McConnell was “brain dead” and “not coming back”.
Despite McConnell refuting some claims, his absence from office, combined with the sudden death of fellow Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, has temporarily reduced the Republicans’ majority to 51-47.
This is at a time where they are trying to secure more military funding and advance US President Donald Trump’s agenda.
McConnell is not seeking re-election, but will remain in office until January 2027, ending one of the most consequential careers in modern politics.
Republicans have nominated US Representative Andy Barr to replace him, while Democrats have nominated former state lawmaker Charles Booker.
McConnell said he is determined to finish out his term.
“I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf,” McConnell wrote in the statement addressed to Kentuckians, “and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do”.
McConnell appeared to freeze up during several press conferences after being hospitalised in 2023. CNN
McConnell had polio in his early childhood and has long acknowledged some difficulty as an adult in walking and climbing stairs.
The physician’s office in Congress in the statement said McConnell has “experienced several falls through the year” due to his “post-polio condition”.
The office said his physical therapy is aimed at reducing the risk of him falling again.
“A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumour, or haemorrhage,” the physician’s office said.
He was hospitalised with a concussion in March 2023 and missed several weeks of work after falling in a Washington hotel.
He twice froze up during news conferences after he returned, staring vacantly ahead before colleagues and staff.
A year later, he fell and sprained his wrist while walking out of a GOP luncheon.
Reported with Associated Press
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