As Congress certified President-elect Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 election, some noticed the absence of a leading Republican at the proceedings.
“One person I didn’t spot in the House chamber for the election certification: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.),” wrote a reporter for The Hill in a social media post on Monday.
One person I didn’t spot in the House chamber for the election certification: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
— Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) January 6, 2025
The 82-year-old Kentucky lawmaker has had a series of accidents and mishaps, spraining his wrist last month at a Senate Republican luncheon and last year, he suffered a concussion and injuries after a fall at a Washington-area hotel.
The longtime senator also appeared to experience some small seizures that left him frozen during speeches as aides scrambled to coax him away from the podium.
BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Mitch McConnell appearing to have another scary episode in the media gaggle in Covington today. Aides had to step in to help him out and repeat questions. He was eventually lead away. We’ll have the full video on @WLWT pic.twitter.com/q9ex5MHxLV
— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023
An image of the senator in a wheelchair as he entered the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in November also caused concern after another video surfaced purportedly of the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history having trouble walking.
After McConnell’s fall yesterday, @ryangrim and I thought it was fair to share this photo we got from DCA the day after the election. Not a bombshell, but evidence the senator is struggling with age beyond what’s being projected publicly. pic.twitter.com/kIUmWmD8KL
— Emily Jashinsky (@emilyjashinsky) December 11, 2024
McConnell is also the longest-serving Senate leader in history and announced last year that he was stepping down as GOP leader. He will continue to serve out his current Senate term, however, which ends in January 2027.
“Father Time remains undefeated. I am no longer the young man sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name. It is time for the next generation of leadership,” McConnell said in a speech to his colleagues from the Senate chamber last year.
“I still have enough gas in the tank to thoroughly disappoint my critics and I intend to do so with all the enthusiasm which they have become accustomed,” he added.
While it is not yet clear that the aged lawmaker was not in attendance at Monday’s certification, social media users weighed in on the speculation.
physically? because we know he’s generally absent
— DOLLMAKER~TRUMP 2024 (@dollmaker27) January 6, 2025
Although we disagree on many of his choices and with such a bitter ending of his senate reign. We do pray for his health.
— Tran Cyndie ✝️ (@CyndieTran_TFLM) January 6, 2025
At least he’s lived long enough to see Trump certified as the winner of the 2024 election for POTUS. It must feel like holy water on a vampires skin for ole @SenMcConnell to see his communist dreams fall apart.
— Buckeye MAGA 1776 AJ was right! (@Buckeye_Maga) January 6, 2025
Make this day complete and resign.
— Wendell Lee (@TheresThatAgain) January 6, 2025
The painful thing is how on earth does he still keep get elected in the primary?
Are they no MAGA or any other candidate in Kentucky or what???— Lan Kiran (@Definit47088573) January 6, 2025
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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