Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell freezes up at a news conference again

For the second time in just over a month, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to freeze while answering questions from reporters, standing silently for around half a minute at a Kentucky event Wednesday afternoon.

McConnell’s previous freeze-up, on July 26, sparked concerns about the 81-year-old GOP leader’s health and led to calls for elderly politicians such as McConnell and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to step down from leadership positions.

The GOP leader at first seemed unable to hear a reporter’s question Wednesday.

“What are my thoughts about what?” McConnell asked, according to video a WLWT reporter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Running for reelection in 2026,” the reporter responded.

“Oh,” McConnell chuckled, before staring into space unblinking for about 10 seconds.

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“Did you hear the question, Senator?” an aide asked, coming to his side. “Running for reelection in 2026?”

McConnell stood quietly for another 20 seconds before clearing his throat and saying, “OK.” Without responding to the first inquiry, he took another question from a reporter in the room, speaking slowly.

“Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” a spokesperson for the senator said in a statement. An aide added that McConnell would consult with his physician before his next event.

Last month, McConnell had to be ushered away from a press gaggle after stopping mid-sentence and appearing unable to complete his response.

McConnell is one of several elderly officials leading the nation. Feinstein, the Senate’s oldest member at 90, has repeatedly appeared confused and forgetful since she returned to the Senate in May after an extended absence while she recovered from a bad case of shingles. President Biden, 80, is the oldest president in U.S. history, and if reelected, he’ll be expected to serve until he’s 86. Former President Trump, now 77, leads early polls for the Republican nomination to challenge Biden in 2024.

“Mitch is a friend, as you know — not a joke. People don’t believe that’s the case,” President Biden told the press Wednesday afternoon, according to CBS News. “We have disagreements politically but he’s a good friend, so I’m going to try to get in touch with him later this afternoon. I don’t know enough to know.”

Special correspondent Cameron Joseph contributed to this report.