McConnell freezes for 2nd time while taking questions

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to freeze up at the podium while taking questions Wednesday in Kentucky, the second time in recent weeks that he paused while talking to reporters.

During a gaggle in Covington, Ky., a reporter asked McConnell, 81, for his thoughts about running for reelection in 2026.

The Senate GOP leader twice asked the reporter to repeat the question, then responded “that’s a,” before freezing and looking ahead for roughly 30 seconds, according to a video posted by MSNBC on X, formerly known as Twitter.

At one point during the freeze-up, an aide walked up to McConnell and asked “did you hear the question, senator, running for reelection in 2026?” To which McConnell replied with a word that was inaudible.

“Alright, I’m sorry you all, we’re gonna need a minute,” the aide said.

After the roughly 30 seconds of unresponsiveness passed, McConnell said “OK,” and his aide resumed the gaggle, asking reporters to “please speak up.”

Wednesday’s episode came just more than one month after McConnell, during his weekly press conference in the Capitol, froze up while fielding questions from reporters. During that incident, he stared straight ahead without saying anything for nearly 20 seconds before being escorted away from the press conference.

He later returned and told reporters “I’m fine” and said “yeah” when asked if he is fully able to do his job, before taking more questions on various topics.

McConnell also fielded a question Wednesday from a reporter on Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R), who is running for governor of the state. His aide was captured on camera reading the question, according to a separate video posted on X.

A reporter then asked the senator about supporting former President Trump as the GOP presidential nominee despite his latest indictments, a question that the aide repeated. McConnell said, “I’m not gonna comment about the presidential race, either on the Republican side or the Democratic side,” an answer he typically gives when asked about Trump.

The Senate GOP leader then walked away from the podium and left the room. According to NBC News, the press gaggle came after McConnell spoke for roughly 20 minutes.

A spokesperson for McConnell said the GOP leader “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.”

McConnell “feels fine,” an aide said, but “as a prudential measure, the Leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event.”

Updated at 2:23 p.m.