McConnell ends weeks of silence, says fall led to hospitalization

Sen. Mitch McConnell has finally broken his silence about the health scare that landed him in the hospital, revealing that a fall was the cause. The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican released a statement on Sunday after weeks of mounting speculation about his condition, according to the Chicago Tribune and Orange County Register.

2 sources

Chicago TribuneSen. Mitch McConnell says a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking weeks of silence about health conditionOrange County RegisterMcConnell says a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking weeks of silence about health condition

"Sen. Mitch McConnell on Sunday revealed for the first time that a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking the silence about his condition after weeks of mounting speculation."

In a separate statement obtained by FOX 56 News, McConnell acknowledged that he was hospitalized because of a fall. The long-ailing senator had been captured on video being rushed on a stretcher from his home to a hospital a month ago, after he was found unconscious in his Washington, D.C. residence and required CPR, reports OK Magazine. In addition to the fall, McConnell's office disclosed that he also suffered a mild case of pneumonia, according to the Orange County Register.

2 sources

OK MagazineCNN's Kaitlan Collins Attacks Former Mitch McConnell Aide Over Ailing Senator's Health, Amid Growing Reports the 84-Year-Old Republican is 'Brain Dead'FOX 56 NewsSen. Mitch McConnell releases first statement since being hospitalized

To provide evidence of his recovery, McConnell's office released a photo of the senator with his wife, Elaine Chao, according to Roll Call. The image was sent by his office on Sunday afternoon, following weeks of questions about his health. The Roll Call report noted that McConnell had remained tight-lipped until this latest disclosure.

Roll CallAfter weeks of questions, McConnell provides information on health

The episode has fueled intense scrutiny and sometimes harsh commentary about the aging senator's fitness for office. CNN's Kaitlan Collins attacked a former McConnell aide over the ailing senator's health, amid growing reports that the 84-year-old Republican is "brain dead," according to OK Magazine. McConnell now faces renewed attention on his medical history, which includes polio, past falls, and other ailments, as detailed by Hollywood Life.

Hollywood LifeMitch McConnell’s Health: His Hospitalization, History of Falls, Polio, & More

McConnell's statement comes as a rare moment of transparency in what has otherwise been a carefully guarded health situation. "I am looking forward to returning to the Senate," McConnell said, as quoted by Fox 56 News. But the weeks of silence have already intensified the political debate over whether the Senate minority leader can continue to serve effectively.