A video of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) falling to the ground is doing the rounds online after he was confronted over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
On Thursday (October 16), the former Senate Majority Leader was making his way through the Capitol building when an activist approached him and asked about the aggressive tactics employed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
"Excuse me, Senator," began the woman who identified herself simply as Stella, "I want to ask, do you support ICE taking working people off the streets and kidnapping them?"
McConnell appeared to have an unsteady walk encounter and was holding the hand of one of his aides. Before he could respond to Stella’s question, the 83-year-old turned a corner and took a tumble. The video showed McConnell catching himself with one arm, before the aide and a Capitol Police officer helped him to his feet.
McConnell then took a few seconds to collect himself before giving the camera a smile and wave. The lawmaker then mumbled something before the aide and officer guided him away.
The video was shared by the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led political action organization committed to fighting the climate crisis. The group’s executive director, Aru Shiney-Ajay, criticized McConnell for failing to "answer a simple question without falling down."
"It’s certainly not the first time he hasn’t been able to answer young people," Shiny-Ajay said in a statement to the Independent. "Both parties are run by out-of-touch octogenarians who have been in politics for longer than we’ve been alive. Their incompetence and need to cling to power aren’t just embarrassing; they’re costly, and the American people are paying the price."
The stumble occurred as McConnell was on his way to the Senate chambers for Thursday’s votes.
"He's all good," his press secretary, Stephanie Penn, told USA TODAY. "[McConnell] went on to vote and (was) ready to vote again at 1:30, to see if Dems decide to fund our nation’s defense priorities or not."
This incident fueled concerns about McConnell’s physical health. In 2023, the Kentucky senator suffered a concussion and rib fracture after falling at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C. Several months later, he had a couple of on-camera freezing moments while speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill.
The infamous episodes led some to wonder if McConnell had suffered a medical emergency; however, Capitol physician Brian P. Moanhan, said a subsequent examination yielded "no evidence" of stroke or seizure.
McConnell also fell twice near the Senate Chambers back in February, and later used a wheelchair as a safety precaution.
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