During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had a momentary lapse in response, the second occurrence of this nature in just over a month.
At the press event in Kentucky, McConnell did not reply when a journalist posed a question regarding “running for reelection in 2026.” Having been in office since 1985, the senator tried to utter some words but then became quiet. After a pause of roughly 10 seconds, an assistant approached McConnell to check if he had caught the question. In a soft voice, McConnell seemed to answer “Yes,” only to go quiet once more.
“Alright, I’m sorry, y’all, we’re gonna need a minute,” remarked the aide. She, along with another assistant, engaged with McConnell, who gave muted replies until he gathered himself. Following this, the aide invited another question from the journalists.
On being questioned about former President Donald Trump, McConnell chose not to discuss the presidential race.
Here’s more of what we saw at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Government Forum. Hoping Sen. McConnell is able to take some time to rest @WLWT pic.twitter.com/wU91yTIDZk
— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023
In the latter part of July, McConnell seemed to have a momentary lapse at a weekly GOP press event, with fellow Senate Republicans guiding him away.
Earlier, McConnell had sustained a concussion and a fractured rib due to a fall at a hotel in Washington, D.C., in March.
