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‘No Evidence’ Mitch McConnell Had a Stroke or Seizures, Capitol Doctor Says

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1 year ago

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Courtesy of @leadermcconnell via Instagram
The U.S. Capitol physician in a new letter on Tuesday said there is “no evidence” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has a seizure disorder or experienced a stroke when he appeared to freeze in front of reporters in Kentucky last week.
“There is no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease,” Dr. Brian Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress, wrote in a letter to McConnell (R–Ky.).
Monahan said “several” medical evaluations were conducted after the incident, including brain MRI imaging, an EEG and a comprehensive neurology assessment.
While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Aug. 30, McConnell, 81, appeared to freeze for more than 30 seconds. He was asked by a reporter whether he would run for re-election in 2026, and froze. After several seconds an aide walked up and asked, “Did you hear the question, senator?”
McConnell continued to stare blankly for several seconds before re-engaging with reporters. He took a couple more questions, which had to be repeated by his aide, then left the event.
On Thursday, Monahan officially cleared McConnell to continue with his schedule. In that letter, Monahan said he consulted with McConnell’s neurology team regarding his recovery after being hospitalized earlier this year with a concussion and fractured rib due to a fall.
“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” Monahan said. McConnell’s office had previously blamed dehydration and lightheadedness for his unusual behavior.
In July, McConnell froze during a press conference on Capitol Hill, and was escorted away from the podium. He later returned to tell reporters he was “fine.”
The episodes continue to raise concerns about elderly lawmakers’ ability to continue working. Last month, 90-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) appeared confused during a senate committee vote on a defense appropriations bill, and needed to be reminded by Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to “just say aye.”
“The die is set for McConnell, and doctor proclamations will do little to assuage the public of his fitness for public office,” Bradley Schurman, founder and CEO of the demographic strategy firm, The Super Age, which helps public and private-sector organizations navigate disruptive population change.
“There is a lack of transparency and understanding of the senator’s condition, causing concern about larger issues, including deteriorating brain health or loss of cognitive functioning. The reality is that individuals can experience a multitude of health conditions in later life that have little impact on their ability to work or govern,” Schurman said.
“Although I wish only the very best for Leader McConnell, the freezing incidents are deeply concerning,” said Diane Canada, author of “Lady Up & Don’t Quit” and founder of the Lady Up America movement.
“With such a strong sign of cognitive interference, it impairs public confidence in his ability to lead,” Canada said. “I understand the political drooling that must be going on behind the scenes in the left’s mouth, so I could understand him keeping his seat, but I feel the responsible thing to do would be to step down as minority leader.”
“Gaslighting may work in a bubble, but not for the general public. Truth is the ultimate spin, and Mitch McConnell is not well,” said strategic communications consultant Robbie Vorhaus, founder and CEO of Vorhaus Communications, Inc.
“It’s time our culture started giving reverence to age and wisdom so older, wiser leaders can step down while on top and not push themselves to a place of physical breakdown,” Vorhaus said.
Despite recent health scares and hospitalizations, both McConnell and Feinstein have indicated that they intend to serve out the remainder of their current Senate terms.
TMX contributed to this article.
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