Americans Wonder If Mitch McConnell Just Suffered A "Possible Stroke" After He Appeared To Freeze, Fall Silent And Disoriented Mid-Presser

Americans were left with even more questions surrounding Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s physical and mental health after the 81-year-old Kentucky Republican senator appeared to have an episode of some sort during the afternoon’s news conference when McConnell suddenly stopped speaking mid-presser with a blank, almost dissociated look on his face for several long, painful moments before being escorted away from the podium and returning on his own a few minutes later.

Senator McConnell was holding a press briefing this afternoon where he was slated to speak about an annual defense policy bill. McConnell was in the middle of a sentence during his opening remarks when his face suddenly went blank and he fell completely silent, appearing to entirely lose his train of thought. The notorious Republican senator appeared to become a bit unsteady on his feet, staring blankly out into the crowd of journalists, as those around him, including his Republican colleagues, appeared to become somewhat alarmed by the lawmaker’s sudden, concerning behavior, asking the senator if he was alright.

After several moments, top McConnell deputy and former physician, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, escorted McConnell away from the podium and the media and he continued to appear disoriented and remained silent. Iowa’s Senator Joni Ernst made a sign of the cross, appearing to signify that she was praying for the Senate Minority Leader.

Flag: McConnell just stopped abruptly during his opening statement during the gop leadership presser and appeared to be unable to restart talking. He then stepped away and walked away with Barrasso: pic.twitter.com/f1kFUjggzm

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) July 26, 2023

McConnell did return to the presser several minutes later, appearing to walk himself back to the podium without assistance, and seemed borderline perturbed as he faced questions about his health, telling reporters that he was “fine.” When asked if he is able to fully do his job as a US senator, McConnell rather curtly answered, “Yeah.”

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Later, a McConnell aide was further questioned about the incident and pointed back to McConnell’s assertion that he was okay, but added that the GOP lawmaker “felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment.”

“He came back to handle Q&A, which as everyone observed was sharp,” the aide stated.

While McConnell obviously wants everyone to believe that this concerning incident was no big deal, Americans are struggling to buy it, especially when combined with McConnell’s rather severe fall at the Washington, D.C. Waldorf Astoria in March of this year that left the senator with a concussion and a minor rib fracture and delayed his return to Congress until mid-April, as he went to a rehab center following his hospital stay.