US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to “freeze” for about 30 seconds on Wednesday as he spoke to reporters after a speech in Covington, Kentucky.
The incident is similar to an episode McConnell experienced on the US Capitol late last month and is likely to raise additional questions about the 81-year-old senator’s suitability to lead the Republican Senate caucus.
Wednesday’s episode took place when a reporter asked the Republican leader if he planned to run for re-election in 2026. Watch the video of the moment below.
McConnell had to ask the reporter to repeat the question several times, laughed for a moment and then paused, closing his mouth and looking straight ahead.
Someone beside him then asked him, “Did you hear the question, senator, [sobre] run for re-election in 2026?”
McConnell did not respond.
“I’m sorry, we need a minute,” the aide told reporters. A member of the senator’s staff spoke quietly to him for a moment, and McConnell managed to whisper a reply.
McConnell turned to reporters and said, “Okay,” and his publicist asked if anyone had another question and if reporters could “raise your voice.”
A spokesperson for McConnell told the CNN that the Republican “felt momentarily dizzy and paused during his press conference today.”
A McConnell aide added: “While he feels fine, as a prudential measure, the leader will consult a doctor before his next event.”
McConnell, the Republican Senate caucus leader since 2007, has faced questions about his health throughout the year. He received treatment for a concussion and broken rib after falling in a Washington hotel in March, returning to the Senate several weeks later.
In late July, McConnell froze for 30 seconds during a Capitol Hill press conference. At the time, his office said the Kentucky Republican was “dizzy” and Republicans later said he was dehydrated.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, McConnell insisted he was “fine”.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did not say earlier Wednesday afternoon whether President Joe Biden was aware of McConnell’s latest “freeze”, but said “clearly, we wish him the best of luck – a speedy recovery”.
* Manu Raju and Sam Fossum of CNN contributed to this story
Source: CNN Brasil
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