Saturday, July 25, 2026
Vol. VIII
Est. 2019

The Mind Shield

News · Opinion · Politics · Analysis

McConnell’s staff gives update on senator’s health.

McConnell’s staff gives update on senator’s health.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., sits in a hospital bed alongside his wife, Elaine Chao, in a photograph released by his office July 12. Photo: Sen. Mitch McConnell's office

An aide to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) gave an update on the 84-year-old lawmaker’s health amid his weeks-long absence from Capitol Hill.

In a statement to the Washington Post, McConnell’s spokesman, David Popp, said the lawmaker remains in rehab but continues to work.

“The Senator continues to meet with staff regarding Senate and Kentucky business, including discussions on defense appropriations, foreign policy, the farm bill, constituent services and constituent federal grant requests,” Popp said.

“As the Senator continues to improve in rehab, we will be sure to keep you updated,” he continued.

McConnell was rushed to the hospital on June 14 after he was found unconscious at his home.

In an audio recording obtained by independent journalist Desirée Townsend, a dispatcher was heard saying the call is for a “cardiac arrest,” and a paramedic is heard saying, “CPR in progress.”

A video obtained by CNN shows McConnell being loaded onto an ambulance stretcher on the day he was hospitalized.

“He’s in a stretcher, and he’s in some sort like orange foam looking blanket type thing,” the neighbor told CNN. The neighbor said they looked at McConnell’s feet, which were uncovered and — in a brief glimpse — were “not moving.”

McConnell’s prolonged absence has led to conspiracy theories and growing speculation that the senator’s health may be substantially worse than his staff has acknowledged.

However, in a statement on July 12, McConnell revealed that he was hospitalized after falling and losing consciousness.

“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia,” he said in the statement.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has repeatedly told reporters that he has been left in the dark about McConnell’s health. Earlier this month, Beshear told journalist Katie Couric on her podcast that he had received two calls suggesting that the lawmaker died while he was in the hospital.