Photo: Drew Angerer / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze for over 30 seconds yesterday after a reporter asked his thoughts on running for reelection in 2026. It's the second time he’s recently seemed to freeze in place. McConnell was speaking to reporters in Covington, Kentucky when he froze before answering the question. After less than 10 seconds of silence, an aide stepped forward and asked him “Did you hear the question, senator?” and then repeated it with no response. McConnell spoke for around 20 minutes before the Q&A with reporters with no problems.
A spokesperson said yesterday after the episode that “Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” then said that McConnell “feels fine” but will consult with a doctor before his next event.
McConnell froze during a weekly Senate news conference on Capitol Hill in July, going silent for 19 seconds before he was escorted away.
President Biden was asked about the freeze by NBC News yesterday, and said he’d “try to get in touch with him later this afternoon,” adding that “I know people don’t believe that’s the case, but we have disagreements politically, but he’s a good friend.”