Mitch McConnell, leader of the Senate Republican caucus, was asked this Wednesday whether he would be willing to run for re-election in 2026, when his six-year term ends. The 81-year-old senator didn’t respond, but his reaction raises doubts about his qualifications. He’s been completely expressionless for more than half a minute, staring into space as if he’s completely disappeared. This is the second time this has happened this summer.
The video of the moment is eloquent. His assistant came and repeated the question, but he continued without responding for several awkward moments for everyone present at the news conference in Covington, Kentucky, the state he represents. McConnell has led the Senate Republican faction since 2007, which is currently in the minority.
A little over a month ago, on Capitol Hill, McConnell He was also speechless during an intervention in front of journalists. He started talking, stopped suddenly and seemed to have disappeared too. His assistants and colleagues removed him from the lectern while he seemed lost. He later said he was fine and could attend the press conference again.
One of his aides then tried to downplay the incident, noting that the Republican Senate leader “got dizzy and stepped back for a moment.” President Joe Biden, who has made similar, although not as extreme, mistakes and several stumbles, called him to inquire about his health. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with him hours later and said he had no concerns about his health.
The senator was hospitalized last March with a concussion after he fell badly during a fundraising dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, which was Trump’s hotel in the capital several years ago. He was absent for a month, but when speculation arose about his possible retirement, he immediately silenced it. Speculation could intensify again after these two incidents in just over a month.
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