United States Senator Mitch McConnell revealed for the first time Sunday that he was hospitalized after a fall, breaking his silence after weeks of speculation about the Kentucky Republican’s health.
McConnellThe 84-year-old said in a statement that doctors had carried out a series of tests on him to try to determine what caused his fall.
Statement photo sparks ‘artificial intelligence generated’ claims online
The statement, which included a photo of McConnell smiling with his wife, Elaine Chao, was the tacit response to online speculation that he was dead or incapacitated. McConnell held up a copy of Sunday’s Washington Post sports edition.
However, the photo has attracted attention online. Laura Loomer posted, “Why is McConnell’s staff writing in the newspaper claiming he holds an AI-generated image? The text is blurry and so is the label on his shirt. Also, if he’s in the hospital, why isn’t there an IV hooked up to him to monitor his health? This is bullshit. His staff are all liars.”
She also wrote, “There’s no way Mitch McConnell wrote that article.”
Kylie Jane Kremer wrote: “The photo itself raises additional questions. The newspaper text is too vague to independently verify the date or publication, making it impossible to determine when the photo was actually taken.”
Another user wrote: “Looks more like a nursing home than a hospital inpatient.”
Someone else posted: “I love it so much that Ai Weiwei is driving these lying backdoor politicians away. This will destroy every lie they try to spread!”
Nathaniel Reid, meanwhile, pushed back on the claim, with one noting, “FWIW — McConnell was photographed holding a copy of today’s Washington Post sports section, which isn’t an inconsequential choice given the widespread online speculation about his health.”
Also read: Mitch McConnell health update: Senator remains hospitalized as ‘brain death’ rumors surface
What did he say in his statement?
Mitch McConnell explained the reason for his long-standing silence about his condition, saying, “Our generation is often reluctant to share the vulnerability that comes with age.” He added, “Even in the public eye, I have the same instinct — I have no control.”
McConnell said he is now in rehab and will not return to the Senate “for the time being,” although he continues to work with staff on Senate business in the meantime. “I’ve taken every test they can think of to help find out what caused this incident,” McConnell said, without revealing any answers, only the conditions that had been ruled out.
“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t have any broken bones or concussions. I didn’t have a heart attack or stroke. I didn’t have any tumors or bleeding. But I lost consciousness briefly and was taken to the hospital,” he said. While in the hospital, he added, “I also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.”
Sunday’s statement came after he was hospitalized on June 14, and McConnell’s office had provided little information for weeks except to insist that he was “receiving quality care” and recovering.
