# 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:** 31
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/602 "2026-07-27T19:13:10Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Yeah but if Trump is going to run in 2028 Not gonna happen. Might as well talk about Lizard People. The law says no, the Courts will say no, and dead people cant run either. > [@steronz](#): > > Got tomorrow’s lottery numbers too? I can predict the sun will set tonite and rise tomorrow. 2+2 will continue to =4. And that trump will lie in his next speech. ---
**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 27, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/603 "2026-07-27T19:15:20Z")
He wants to and he keeps talking about it, if we’re trying to explain why Trump might be interested in keeping Massie out of congress (sorry, the senate) then his motivation matters. Also, I don’t share your confidence in American Exceptionalism when it comes to defeating fascism. Most dictators weren’t allowed to be president for life when they started either. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/604 "2026-07-27T19:24:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, it can be so dismissed, and it should be. McConnell is alive and able to perform simple tasks. Simple tasks like sitting in a chair in front of a camera? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/605 "2026-07-27T19:26:58Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > He wants to and he keeps talking about it He wants to do and talks about a LOT of things. The overwhelming majority of them never happen. > [@steronz](#): > > if we’re trying to explain why Trump might be interested in keeping Massie out of congress (sorry, the senate) then his motivation matters. At most, Massie would be in the Senate for six weeks before it adjourns, and in January would give up his seat to the winner of the general election in which he is not a candidate. There’s no scenario where a special election for Mitch’s seat has any long-term impact on the makeup of Congress and they’re not going to be voting on any major legislation for the remainder of this year. Moreover, Trump does not dictate the standard of Motch McConnell’s medical care. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/606 "2026-07-27T19:43:04Z")
**Moderating:** A reminder that this thread is about Mitch McConnel. _Further_ speculation about Trump’s 2028 ambitions, or lack thereof belong in a Trump thread. I use “further” as @steronz’s original post on the subject of keeping the seat free of challengers pertains to McConnell but the back and forth after that really belongs elsewhere. Again, no warnings, no strong admonishments, just take the Trump 2028 YES/NO talk to another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/607 "2026-07-27T21:53:52Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > There’s another “proof of life” picture which has been released today. This is absolutely eerily convincing. (A video of about 14 seconds.) > **[Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/cwebbonline.com/post/3mrnkhoouc22f)** > > 🏆 ---
**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 27, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/608 "2026-07-27T22:01:25Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > This is absolutely eerily convincing. (A video of about 14 seconds.)   That was very well done! 😁 FTR, I think the two legitimate picture posted were indeed authentic, but I’m also convinced that they were deceptive. Especially because someone felt the need to post a second picture that looked almost like the first, with Mitch just wearing a different shirt, one that I very much doubt he put on himself. I’d be really surprised if Mitch was well enough to continue his senatorial duties, but I’ve been surprised before. Unlike most Americans, he’s getting the very best of medical care. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/609 "2026-07-27T23:00:02Z")
So, does HIPAA continue to bind health-care providers after the patient’s death? At such time as McConnell completely dies, whenever that happens, will his doctors be able to say “Oh, yeah, he’s been completely comatose since June”, or whatever? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/610 "2026-07-27T23:03:10Z")
When I think of “proof of life”, I think of hostage situations. Distributing pictures to “prove” that McConnell isn’t dead is almost certainly a tacit admission that he’s not functional. > [@DrDeth](#): > > McConnell is alive and able to perform simple tasks. How do you know that he’s able to perform simple tasks? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/611 "2026-07-27T23:30:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > So, does HIPAA continue to bind health-care providers after the patient’s death? HIPPA applies for 50 years > [@](#): > > At such time as McConnell completely dies, whenever that happens, will his doctors be able to say “Oh, yeah, he’s been completely comatose since June”, or whatever? It is properly up to the next of kin. The statement out today seems to me likely true: [AP via PBS: McConnell remains in rehab and not cleared for work, his office says](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/mcconnell-remains-in-rehab-and-not-cleared-for-work-his-office-says) > [@](#): > > The statement from the Office of the Attending Physician said McConnell has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation since he left the hospital, which includes multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls. > > “His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office,” said the statement from the physician’s office in Congress. I believe the referred-to attending physician is the current congressional physician appointed by Barack Obama. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/612 "2026-07-28T00:35:02Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Unlike most Americans, he’s getting the very best of medical care. I’m not quite sure what to make of this. Almost by definition, most people in the world cannot be getting the very best. Another problem is that “the very best” is subject to matters of opinion. I’ve read that India has the world’s best cataract surgeons, partly because of very high surgical volumes. But the patient does not get to talk to their very best surgeon, because if they did, volumes would be lower. And Americans would find that system intolerable. As for Mitch, last I heard he was in a for-profit hospital. Generally – not the very best, although it’s another matter of opinion. My guess is that, like most Americans who have insurance and are reasonably smart consumers, his health care is adequate. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/613 "2026-07-28T00:45:52Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > HIPPA applies for 50 years Correction: [HIPAA protection currently expires 50 years after the death of the individual.](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/health-information-of-deceased-individuals/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/614 "2026-07-28T00:51:38Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > How do you know that he’s able to perform simple tasks? That is what they have said. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > The statement from the Office of the Attending Physician said McConnell has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation since he left the hospital, which includes multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/615 "2026-07-28T01:17:43Z")
That’s what his office claims, at least. You might have noticed that Republicans sometimes occasionally lie. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/616 "2026-07-28T01:24:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That’s what his office claims, at least. You might have noticed that Republicans sometimes occasionally lie. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > The statement from the Office of the Attending Physician > **[Attending Physician of the United States Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attending_Physician_of_the_United_States_Congress)** > > The attending physician of the United States Congress is the physician responsible for the medical welfare of the members of the United States Congress and the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. The attending physician is tasked with emergency care for staff, security personnel and dignitaries, and implementation of the environmental health, public health, and occupational health programs of the Capitol Hill region. The attending physician is involved in security planning and wo... The current office holder is a Rear Admiral and was appointed by Obama, not trump. > **[Brian P. Monahan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_P._Monahan)** > > Brian Patrick Monahan (born 1960) is the Attending Physician of the United States Congress and the United States Supreme Court and holds the rank of rear admiral in the United States Navy. Monahan was nominated to the position and rank by United States President Barack Obama in January 2009. He previously served as the director of hematology and medical oncology at the National Naval Medical Center. He is a Master of The American College of Physicians and a Member of the Academy of Medicine Monah... I am pretty sure he wouldnt out and out lie like that. He could lose his medical license as well as his position. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/617 "2026-07-28T01:25:32Z")
He didn’t. We don’t actually have a statement from him. We have a statement from McConnell’s office that says that they have a statement from him. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/618 "2026-07-28T01:28:53Z")
Yes, but if they don’t have a statement from Monahan to back up their claim I would expect he will be making that known soon. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/619 "2026-07-28T01:29:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > He didn’t. We don’t actually have a statement from him. We have a statement from McConnell’s office that says that they have a statement from him. > The office of Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., released an update on his health Monday, this time with a statement from the congressional Office of Attending Physician stating the senator has not yet been medically cleared to leave a rehabilitation facility where he is undergoing physical therapy. So Mitchs office included a statement from the Office of the Attending Physician. Faking that would be a real issue. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Yes, but if they don’t have a statement from Monahan to back up their claim I would expect he will be making that known soon. Yep. The Admiral/Doctor is apparently quite popular on the Hill- with both parties. Remember the Office is not saying he is a well man, in fact the opposite. He is not well enough to go back to the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/620 "2026-07-28T01:49:04Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Yes, but if they don’t have a statement from Monahan to back up their claim I would expect he will be making that known soon. Is he even allowed to? HIPAA, again. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/621 "2026-07-28T01:50:14Z")
Today’s statements re: McConnell’s health and progress are consistent with a stroke patient that’s lost the use of the use of the limbs on one side of his body. “Simple tasks” is an interesting phrase in context. Stroke rehab exercises are simple with the use of both hands or both legs, but downright strenuous with limited or no use of one hand/leg. Anything McConnell can’t put on witnessed video (cf. a press conference), it’s fair to assume he cannot now do. Speech is right out until proven otherwise. Sitting up unaided, not likely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=32)