During a press briefing at the US Capitol on Wednesday, Senator Mitch McConnell looked to have experienced a stroke after there was a prolonged freeze in his speech lasting over 20 seconds. The incident occurred while he was updating the audience on the status of the annual NDAA bill. Observing McConnell's freeze, Senator Joni Erst expressed concern by asking, "Are you good, Mitch?"
Then Senator John Barrasso, who is an actual doctor, approached McConnell and advised him to return to his office.
Check out the moment here:
Did Mitch McConnell just have a mild stroke? pic.twitter.com/MSCxdgLcl7
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) July 26, 2023
McConnell has since brushed off the incident as nothing, and refrenced Biden's infamous response that he was "sandbagged" in reference to his cognitive malfunction according to Newsweek:
Upon his return, McConnell told reporters that President Joe Biden had already called to check up on him. The Republican said he told Biden "I got sandbagged," in reference to the president's explanation why he fell on stage at a graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs in June.
The incident immediately sparked concerns about McConnell's condition, with a number of GOP figures calling for him to step down. McConnell's office has been contacted for comment.
Among those are vocal supporters of Trump, who have often attacked McConnell for his criticism of the former president over the January 6 attack, which the Senate minority leader called a "violent insurrection."
Rogan O'Handley, a right-wing conspiracy theorist who tweets under the popular @DC_Draino account, wrote while sharing footage of the incident involving the Senate minority leader: "Mitch McConnell has cognitive malfunction at podium. Has to be escorted away by fellow Senators.
"This man has clear cognitive impairments after sustaining serious head trauma from his fall a few months ago. It is clear that he should resign."
"The stamina and health of elected leaders has become a major problem in American politics," tweeted Turning Point USA founder and political activist Charlie Kirk while listing the names Fetterman, Biden, McConnell, Feinstein and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
"These politicians have been entrenched or installed by corrupt party structures, but they are too old or too feeble to run the country. Resign."
There's still no official medical confirmation on what exactly happened to McConnell, but according to Benny Johnson, he reached out to a medical colleague who confirmed that it did appear to be a stroke:
Neurosurgeon I know just texted me in response to the McConnell video saying it’s obvious that McConnell just suffered from an acute stroke.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 26, 2023
“You can see it in the eyes. Dead eyes. Forgets where he is and who he is. Cognitive breakdown. Common in stroke patients”
For me and many others, I have to agree with the good doctor above; this does appear to be a stroke.
It's quite honestly insulting how McConnell and his staff are brushing this off. We, the American people, deserve to know the cognitive abilities of those who are running this country.
Seriously Mitch, it's time for you to hang up your old dusty hat and resign.
