Dominic Smithers
Concerns have been raised after Mitch McConnell froze again in front of reporters.
The Senate Minority Leader appeared at a press conference in Covington, Kentucky, today (30 August). And the 81-year-old appeared to struggle when facing questions from journalists.
At first, he found it difficult to hear a question on whether he planned on running for re-eletion.
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In a clip shared on social media, McConnell remains silent for around 30 seconds after the question is asked, and doesn't respond.
One of his aides then approaches the podium and signals that he needs a break.
“All right, I’m sorry, you all," she tells the room of reporters. "We’re going to need a minute."
However, McConnell then seems to indicate that he wants to continue with the press conference.
He is then asked about Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is running for governor.
The question is then repeated loudly and McConnell replies: “I think the governor’s race is going to be very close."
And the veteran politician bats off the last question about former president Donald Trump's legal battles in Georgia.
This is the second time McConnell has appeared to struggle while dealing with the media.
On 26 July, at a press conference in Washington, D.C., he also froze for a moment.
He was talking about about the annual defense bill at the time, and announced it was proceeding with 'good bipartisan cooperation' before he trailed off, becoming silent and staring straight ahead.
McConnell was asked if he felt okay after he stopped speaking, with senator John Barrasso seen asking: “Hey Mitch, anything else you want to say? Or should we just go back to your office? Do you want to say anything else to the press?”
He remained silent and was led away from the press conference to return to his office, leaving the crowd confused as to what had just happened.
But McConnell returned after a few moments to answer more questions, assuring the press that he was fine.
An aide added that the 81-year-old 'felt light headed and stepped away for a moment'.
“He came back to handle Q and A, which as everyone observed was sharp,” the aide said.
McConnell insisted he was fine again when leaving the Capitol, adding that he'd spoken with President Joe Biden after the conference.
Making a jokey reference to Biden accidentally tripping over a sandbag last month, McConnell said: "The president called to check on me. I told him I got sandbagged."