Sen. Mitch McConnell, 84, released a statement about his health with a photo from the hospital amid intense speculation that the Kentucky Republican was brain dead. These speculations were further exacerbated by the death of South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. However, the photo and statement did little to stop the suspicions and rumors, and instead only fueled the suspicions and rumors even more as the internet began to question the authenticity of the photo.
Mitch McConnell’s full statement
“When you elected me to a seventh term and made me the longest-serving senator in the Commonwealth, you did so with the belief that I would show up to fight for you every day. And over the past few weeks, Elaine and I have thanked you both for your well wishes and for your candid questions about what is keeping me from the Senate.“As you all know, people my age are often afraid to share that they become weaker as they get older. Even in the public eye, I feel the same instinct: There’s nothing we can do about it.“But at the same time, I have had more than my share of physical vulnerability. Surviving childhood polio meant a lifetime of mobility issues, which haven’t gotten any easier with age, and last month I was admitted to hospital after a fall.“Doctors confirmed that I did not have any broken bones or concussion. I did not have a heart attack or stroke. There was no tumor or bleeding. However, I briefly lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital. While he has received excellent medical treatment over the past few weeks, he has also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.“I can tell you that I have been a good patient. At this age, I tend to do what the doctors say. I have undergone every test that the doctors could think of to determine the cause of this incident, and I continue to do everything the doctors asked me to do to speed up my recovery. In fact, as I continue to see signs of progress, I was able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center, where I will continue to regain my strength.”“As frustrating as it is for me, this process takes time, and on medical advice, I am not yet able to return to the Senate floor to vote. But rest assured that I am not taking time off from important Senate work to you in the meantime. I am working closely with legislative staff on current issues, and I am collaborating with my team in Kentucky to help provide timely voter services across the commonwealth.” I also remain in touch with my Senate colleagues about the appropriations process, interim politics, and everything in between.“It’s right to expect members to work hard for you, and part of my decision to retire when my term ends next January was to be honest about the demands of the Senate’s work. But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I intend to complete the job you chose me to do.”“I will continue to work hard to return to the Senate floor as soon as possible and will update you on the progress of my recovery. Until then, I sincerely appreciate everyone’s prayers and well wishes.”
Newspaper in the hands of Mitch McConnell
The photo showed McConnell holding a newspaper, but many people pointed out that it was not an old photo because the newspaper was the Sunday Washington Post. But eagle-eyed critics like Laura Loomer still insisted that this was an AI photo, that the background of the photo looked nothing like a hospital room, and that there was no IV drip connected to him.
