For the second time in five weeks, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) froze while on camera.
In response to a question from a reporter during a press conference at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Government Forum whether he plans to run for reelection in 2026, Mr. McConnell said ,”That’s a—” but suddenly froze. After about 17 seconds, an aide approached him and asked if he heard the question and stated what was the question.
“Yes,” said Mr. McConnell, who froze again.
“I’m sorry, y’all,” said the aide. “We’re going to need a minute.”
Moments later, Mr. McConnell said that the Kentucky gubernatorial race in November will be “close” and that Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the GOP nominee, is the best one the GOP could have put up. The state’s govenror, Andy Beshear, is up for reelection.
Mr. McConnell answered one last question about former President Donald Trump’s latest indictment and said he will not comment on the former president, who has been indicted four times, or on the 2024 presidential race.
The last time Mr. McConnell froze was on July 26 during a press conference following the weekly Senate GOP policy luncheon. He was escorted away from the podium, but returned shortly thereafter, and when asked about his condition, he said was “fine.”
A McConnell aide later told The Epoch Times that Mr. McConnell, who is in his seventh term in the Senate, “felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment” and “came back to handle Q&A, which, as everyone observed, was sharp.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to Mr. McConnell’s office for comment on the latest instance of the 81-year-old senator freezing.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters she does not know if President Joe Biden, whom Mr. McConnell served with for decades in the Senate, is aware of the latest freezing incident, but that the administration wishes Mr. McConnell well and hopes for a speedy recovery.
This is a breaking story and will be updated. Emel Akan contributed to this story.
From The Epoch Times
