Mitch McConnell‘s recent public health scare has led to some details about his private struggles being leaked to the media. McConnell, 81, is also dealing with some surprising and devastating news because of members of his own party.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had an alarming medical issue last Wednesday.
During the weekly Republican leadership press conference, the political leader froze for about 20 seconds, was not able to speak, and showed signs of disorientation.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was aided by other Republican senators and figures to a private area in the Capitol. A brief moment later, he returned and mocked President Joe Biden by saying that “the president called to check up on me, and I told him I got sandbagged.”
The controversial comment was to remind the world that President Joe Biden tripped over a sandbag and fell at the U.S. Air Force Academy in June. McConnell declined to say what happened or if he was treated by a doctor.
An aide for Mitch McConnell later told the press that he was feeling lightheaded. That medical incident opened the door for more frightening reports about Mitch McConnell’s health conditions to be leaked.
According to sources, who spoke to USA Today, the Kentucky Republican, a polio survivor, fell twice this year and sometimes uses a wheelchair to get around.
He also needs the assistance of his aides when walking up and down the stairs. On July 14, McConnell tripped and fell while disembarking from a plane at Ronald Reagan, Washington National Airport.
In February, McConnell took a stumble during a trip to Finland as part of a U.S. delegation. The media outlet noted that “the most serious injury that we know about came this year after a fall at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C.” where he slammed his head and suffered a concussion and multiple broken ribs.
The latest medical emergency has catastrophic consequences for McConnell. Many Republicans are now privately saying that they want him to leave his post.
Some members of the GOP are frustrated by the veil of secrets around his health woes. Talking to the Hill, one Republican who wished to remain anonymous said: “He’s definitely slower with his gait. In closed-door GOP meetings, he doesn’t address it.”
Another one shared: “No one says what’s wrong with him. I think there ought to be more transparency here.”
Those, who want Mitch McConnell out of politics, are hoping that Senate Republican Whip John Thune, who is 62, or Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), 71, will become the next Senate GOP leader.
A senator told the Hill there is a “shadow race” that also involves Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (Wyo.)
The senator explained that: “Neither Thune nor Cornyn have said anything about running for McConnell’s job. But their ambitions to move up to the top job are an open secret.”
The politician added: “The leadership is interesting times. Thune and Cornyn can’t discuss their plans because it would be rude while McConnell is on the job. Thune and Cornyn are the two names that have been in the mix the most because they have both been whip, and everybody knows that Cornyn wants the [leader’s] job more than anything.”
The de facto loeader of the Republican Party, former President Donald Trump, has signaled that he wants McConnell to be replaced.
