What’s wrong with McConnell’s health?

Health Concerns Surround Mitch McConnell

In mid-June, Mitch McConnell was admitted to the hospital for an undisclosed reason, marking another health concern for Kentucky’s senior senator and former Republican Senate majority leader. The 84-year-old has remained in the hospital with limited updates on his condition, sparking growing speculation about the severity of his health issues. Newly surfaced dispatch audio suggests that McConnell may have been unconscious when emergency responders arrived at the scene.

According to NBC News, the network obtained EMS dispatch audio from June 14, the day McConnell was hospitalized. The audio revealed that paramedics responded to a report of an “unconscious person” and a possible “cardiac arrest.” In another clip, a paramedic can be heard saying “CPR in progress,” as reported by CBS News and CNN, both of which reviewed the audio. Portions of the dispatch call were first shared by journalist Desirée Townsend on social media.

These reports are the first public indication of the potential severity of McConnell’s current condition. On the day of his hospital admission, his office confirmed the news in a brief statement. “Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital this morning. He is receiving excellent care,” said David Popp, a McConnell spokesman, on June 14.

McConnell’s office followed up with another short message the next day, stating that he was “fully engaged with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters.” However, no further details were provided about why he was admitted or his medical state. The lack of information continued into June as Popp confirmed that McConnell would be missing votes.

“Senator McConnell is still working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery. However, he will not be voting this week,” Popp stated in a June 22 statement.

The day after he was hospitalized, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had spoken to McConnell, giving a positive read of their interaction. “He sounded good. He wants to be back,” Thune said, according to ABC News. Thune added, “He is clearly dialed in to what’s going on. He’s following along with stuff we are doing this week up here. Very much so.”

A History of Health Issues

McConnell’s weeks-long hospitalization is part of a series of health scares the seven-term senator has faced in recent years. In March 2023, he was admitted to the hospital after a fall at a dinner event at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., suffering a concussion and a fractured rib. He was discharged to an inpatient rehab facility several days later and did not return to the Senate until April.

That summer, McConnell publicly froze on two occasions, falling silent during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol and again during a press event in Kentucky. As a survivor of childhood polio, McConnell has also experienced several public falls, including a 2024 instance where he sprained his wrist after tripping as he exited a Senate Republican luncheon. Another incident occurred in 2025 when he fell in a Capitol hallway while being questioned by activists from Sunrise Movement.

In 2024, McConnell announced his plans to step down from Republican leadership after heading the party in the Senate in both the minority and majority since 2006. The following year, he said he would not seek reelection in 2026.