# Mitch McConnell falls twice in Capitol **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 6, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937 "2025-02-06T00:54:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/382 "2026-07-13T23:00:23Z")
And you believe something from X-Twitter? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/383 "2026-07-13T23:16:53Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > I can’t believe that conspiracy theories are still circulating, even here! > > Maybe because he looks better in that picture than he has looked in at least the last decade. This image has been popping up at another social media site I frequent. Take it for whatever it’s worth. [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X1YR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e2069b5-e770-40ef-bfc3-694a33ca573b_1182x996.jpeg) ](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X1YR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e2069b5-e770-40ef-bfc3-694a33ca573b_1182x996.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/384 "2026-07-13T23:25:42Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Take it for whatever it’s worth. Well, it’s inaccurate in terms of his hair color changing (it didn’t), and if he looks worse or not is a matter of opinion. I think he looks pretty awful in the new photo, though he may be more rested after being in bed and recovering for a month. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/385 "2026-07-13T23:32:24Z")
Have to agree. The only thing that looks better in the new photo is he’s smiling and the lighting is a little kinder. He doesn’t look younger. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/386 "2026-07-13T23:32:38Z")
Not disputing anything you point out, just sharing a social media reaction I’m seeing. I’ve also seen an alleged photo of McConnell and his wife in that pose, except they’re sitting in beach chairs at a resort, she’s not holding his hand, he’s holding a drink, not a newspaper, and it’s supposedly from two or three years ago. At this point I don’t trust anything we’re seeing/not seeing, but won’t believe he’s alive until I see him on live TV on a reputable channel. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/387 "2026-07-13T23:44:51Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > At this point I don’t trust anything we’re seeing/not seeing, but won’t believe he’s alive until I see him on live TV on a reputable channel. Agreed completely. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/388 "2026-07-13T23:44:52Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > This image has been popping up at another social media site I frequent. Take it for whatever it’s worth. Yeah in one he is overworked and frowning and in another he is fully rested and smiling. > [@TroutMan](#): > > Have to agree. The only thing that looks better in the new photo is he’s smiling and the lighting is a little kinder. He doesn’t look younger. Can we stop with these ridiculous conspiracy theories? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/389 "2026-07-13T23:53:32Z")
Sorry if this question has already been raised but there is clear evidence that CPR was performed. (There are people who monitored the EMT’s radio transmissions.) But the story now being circulated is that McConnell’s medical problem is that he fell down and has pneumonia. Why would CPR be preformed on a patient in that condition? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/390 "2026-07-13T23:56:22Z")
I never said that. If fact, that’s why I said it should be taken with a grain of salt. I was just pointing out that not even the crowd over there wasn’t really buying it. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/391 "2026-07-14T00:07:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Can we stop with these ridiculous conspiracy theories? Perhaps you misread my comment, but I have no idea what conspiracy theory you are attributing to me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/392 "2026-07-14T00:25:59Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Perhaps you misread my comment, but I have no idea what conspiracy theory you are attributing to me. I was not directly addressing you as passing ridiculous conspiracy theories, I was addressing > [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > This image has been popping up at another social media site I frequent. Take it for whatever it’s worth. > [@Gyrate](#): > > Yes, the text on the newspaper in that particular photo looks like AI gibberish. What this implies for McConnell’s actual state of health is something else entirely. > [@Railer13](#): > > But perhaps that’s a manipulated image? > [@Railer13](#): > > Surely I’m not the only person who has noticed that the copy of the Post that McConnell is holding in the photo is not an English edition? > [@Superdude](#): > > Skimmed the most recent posts just now and didn’t see anyone link to this, so here, and take this with another grain of salt, but X/Twitter has a [Grok community note](https://www.primetimer.com/news/this-photo-isnt-authentic-grok-confirms-laura-loomer-s-mitch-mcconnell-hospital-photo-is-ai-generated-claim) that says the image of McConnell is AI generated. And many more. Your post I agreed with and posted it to show > [@TroutMan](#): > > Have to agree. The only thing that looks better in the new photo is he’s smiling and the lighting is a little kinder. He doesn’t look younger. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah in one he is overworked and frowning and in another he is fully rested and smiling. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/393 "2026-07-14T00:35:19Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Can we stop with these ridiculous conspiracy theories? I fully agree. This is not Fox News, Xitter, “the Grok community”, or Laura Loomer’s personal blog. Mitch McConnell is alive, Lindsey Graham is dead. Deal with it. Whether McConnell returns to the Senate is a different question. We don’t have enough information to make a judgment on that. If he’s not capable of doing so he should resign. Since that’s clearly the right thing to do, of course he will not. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/394 "2026-07-14T00:37:10Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I fully agree. This is not Fox News, Xitter, “the Grok community”, or Laura Loomer’s personal blog. Mitch McConnell is alive, Lindsey Graham is dead. Deal with it. Thank you. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Whether McConnell returns to the Senate is a different question. We don’t have enough information to make a judgment on that. If he’s not capable of doing so he should resign. Since that’s clearly the right thing to do, of course he will not. We agree on this also. In fact I kinda doubt he will return- soon anyway. I hope he gets better - after he resigns for reasons of his health. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/395 "2026-07-14T01:10:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > If he’s not capable of doing so he should resign. Since that’s clearly the right thing to do, of course he will not. It would probably be the right thing for his party, because the governor has no ability to appoint an interim senator. As far as I can see, the replacement election date would be November 3 with uncertainty as to whether the winner could take office before January. Read down into this local television news report for the explanation: [Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear requests update on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health](https://www.wthr.com/article/news/nation-world/kentucky-governor-andy-beshear-update-senator-mitch-mcconnell-health/507-cd7d65ae-e7c4-4680-985c-ab971fde7f35) > [@](#): > > Kentucky’s Senate succession law, which Republican legislators have twice changed during Beshear’s tenure, does not give the governor a role in picking a temporary successor should McConnell’s seat become vacant before his term ends. > > Under the latest change in 2024, Beshear would call a special election if the seat became vacant. The winner of that election would probably be a Republican and could take office after the result is certified. The general election winner would be sworn in as part of the new Congress in January. But there are unresolved questions about the timing of a special election under the untested law and the possibility the seat could remain vacant until January. Since it is likely that McConnell does not know if and when he can return to work, resignation would be premature. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/396 "2026-07-14T01:23:10Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Under the latest change in 2024, Beshear would call a special election if the seat became vacant. The Governor might question that law in the courts, but he wouldnt have much time, and the result would be doubtful. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/397 "2026-07-14T01:28:15Z")
This is the key question. NBC News (and maybe others) claim to have acquired the scanner recordings, so it’s not just “some guy said.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/398 "2026-07-14T04:18:00Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > I’ve also seen an alleged photo of McConnell and his wife in that pose, except they’re sitting in beach chairs at a resort, she’s not holding his hand, he’s holding a drink, not a newspaper, and it’s supposedly from two or three years ago. Likely photoshopped, look at Sherrerds post. Look, I trust the BBC and the Guardian. We have to stop spreading these rumors. > [@steronz](#): > > This is the key question. NBC News (and maybe others) claim to have acquired the scanner recordings, so it’s not just “some guy said.” So what? Medical records are private by law. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/399 "2026-07-14T11:48:49Z")
I don’t follow. There’s still a discrepancy. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/400 "2026-07-14T12:15:20Z")
Re last post, was the CPR mention before the ambulance got to his house? If so, it was someone looking at an unconscious person and wanting help ASAP. [GOP Senator Ron Johnson Says He’s Not Sure McConnell Photo is New](https://news.google.com/read/CBMihAFBVV95cUxPUjlYSHhVZUNOeEVRc25rMTh3cXpHYjFnR0tUR0FpcF9iM2NKVk9MQ2QybE5sdUU5R3M0RXZGRFNWZ2lrV3g0NFU3OXJ1azF0QWgxeGJQd29NdGhOYk40d2lvdmcydmFrOEl1dC1iRVJMZU1DWEpDcUxvYzE5UndZRWZWUHDSAYoBQVVfeXFMTTZMNU9ZZzFVYkt4bmVYbm5NWGJKRkNFNWhNYTl5ZnQyeG5KZUN2bG5QQU9VRVQwQXpsWWFpem5JYmYtUjN1V0NQV2FRdi1IbWI1bHhFdnFXWHYyWjRYWmZUUDFqaEdwZFM5Z012X2VvYk41dk1OVTBmbUhmbjloSVZycExrUkpOZlpB?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen) Me, I’m sure of the photo. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/401 "2026-07-14T12:25:36Z")
I don’t know. Per NBC the recording says that they responded to a call for a cardiac arrest and performed CPR. I don’t know the timing of those claims. As far as I know the scanner tape hasn’t been released. The discrepancy is that the McConnell camp says nothing about cardiac arrest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=21)