Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Wednesday appeared briefly unable to respond to reporters' questions at a press event, marking the second time in weeks that the Republican leader has abruptly stopped speaking and required help from people around him.
McConnell, 81, initially seemed to struggle to hear when asked at an event in Covington, Kentucky, about his views on running for reelection.
But the senator then froze at the lectern and did not speak for about 30 seconds. He did not appear to immediately respond when a member of his staff approached him to ask if he had heard the question.
"All right, I'm sorry, you all. We're going to need a minute," the aide said during that interval.
McConnell then appeared to signal he was ready to receive another question. He was asked about Kentucky's Republican attorney general, Daniel Cameron, who is running for governor.
After his aide loudly repeated the question into his ear, McConnell said, "I think the governor's race is going to be very close," with his voice lowering in volume as he finished his reply.
He brushed off a final question about former President Donald Trump's latest indictment in Georgia before being led away from the lectern.
ChrysMYO on August 30th, 2023 at 18:49 UTC »
Second incident on camera. What are the odds the only two times he's ever frozen were simply on camera. He must be struggling with something privately and he needs to retire.
dispelthemyth on August 30th, 2023 at 17:40 UTC »
Just listening to how the lady staffer spoke to him (like he’s a child) shows something is up and they know it.
MrLurid on August 30th, 2023 at 17:36 UTC »
In most professions, this would be a sign that you should probably retire.
In a lot of them, you'd be a hazard.