McConnell says he’s ‘fine’ after freezing up during GOP press conference

By: Sarah Ladd - July 26, 2023 4:21 pm

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell at a GOP press conference on July 26, 2023. McConnell stopped in mid-sentence and was later escorted away by a colleague. (C-SPAN screenshot)

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he’s “fine” after stopping mid-sentence during a Wednesday press conference and being escorted away from the lectern by colleagues.

A McConnell aide later said Kentucky’s Republican senator became lightheaded before stepping away.

C-Span video shows McConnell trailed off while delivering opening remarks to journalists and then stood silent for about 20 seconds before colleagues stepped in to ask if he was OK and done speaking.

He walked away with Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming. Later, he returned to the lectern and took questions from reporters.

He said he was fine and able to do his job when asked if the long pause he took was related to a March fall and subsequent concussion, for which he was hospitalized.

This story may update.

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Sarah Ladd

Sarah Ladd is a Louisville-based journalist from West Kentucky who's covered everything from crime to higher education. She spent nearly two years on the metro breaking news desk at The Courier Journal. In 2020, she started reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and has covered health ever since. As the Kentucky Lantern's health reporter, she focuses on mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, children's welfare, COVID-19 and more.