Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) froze again on Wednesday while taking questions from the press in Covington, Kentucky, video of the moment shows.
“What are my thoughts about what?” McConnell, 81, asked a reporter.
“Running for reelection in 2026,” the reporter clarified.
McConnell chuckled and began to speak before suddenly going quiet and staring off into the distance.
“Did you hear the question, Senator?” an aide asked McConnell.
When the senator failed to respond and maintained a blank stare, the aide told reporters, “Alright, I’m sorry, you all. We’re going to need a minute.”
The video of McConnell freezing for a second time was widely circulated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Can we stop electing 80 year olds for anything. They should be home with their families enjoying their retirement. This goes to McConnell, Biden and yes, Trump,” one X user wrote.
“This is elder abuse! You all just want a “name”. A “figure head”. Get him out of there. He looks terrible, he looks like he’s honestly sick. I’m not a fan of his but for the love of God get him out! #mitchfreezs,” another user posted.
In July, McConnell was escorted from the podium during a press conference after the Kentucky senator froze in the middle of a sentence and stood there, not moving, for an extended period of time.
McConnell was addressing the press about the anticipated finalization of the National Defense Authorization Act before suddenly freezing mid-sentence.
After McConnell froze, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) could be seen grabbing McConnell’s arm and whispering, “Hey Mitch, anything else you want to say? Or should we just go back to your office? Do you want to say anything else to the press?”
McConnell was then escorted away from the press by an aide, according to CNN.
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
