Video Goes Viral Of Mitch McConnell In Wheelchair After Fall

A startling video captured Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) arriving at the U.S. Capitol in a wheelchair on Monday, with a medical boot on his leg ahead of a scheduled vote.

Footage obtained by CNN’s Haley Talbot shows the former Senate majority leader departing the Senate on Monday, requiring assistance from staff members as he moved from his wheelchair into an SUV.

Concerns over McConnell’s health persisted, as just five days earlier, the 82-year-old had fallen outside the Senate chamber, according to Breitbart News.

Last week, McConnell attempted to regain his footing with the help of Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and initially walked away. However, his condition appeared more serious this week, necessitating mobility assistance and medical support.

Multiple falls at the U.S. Capitol last week have fueled growing concerns about McConnell’s well-being.

The 82-year-old Kentucky senator was seen using a wheelchair following the incidents. Reports indicated that he had fallen down a short flight of stairs at least once while exiting the Senate chamber for lunch with Republican colleagues, as noted by Express US.

“Fox confirms. McConnell falls down Senate stairs after voting to confirm Scott Turner as HUD Secretary. Unclear about injuries. But Fox is told he appears to be ok. McConnell was helped up by Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK),” tweeted Chad Pergram, a congressional correspondent for Fox News.

McConnell’s office clarified that, due to his history with polio, he was using a wheelchair “purely as a precautionary measure.”

“Senator McConnell is fine,” stated a spokesperson. “The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work.”

After witnessing McConnell’s fall, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) shared with reporters, “I think he just slipped on the steps. I was right behind him and helped him get back up, and he walked on his own power to lunch.”

McConnell was observed walking away from the lunch while holding onto an aide’s arm. However, press members later spotted him returning in a wheelchair.

Having experienced multiple health-related incidents, McConnell stepped down as Senate Republican leader earlier this year. In December, following a lunch with colleagues, he suffered another fall inside the Capitol, sustaining minor injuries, including a facial cut and a sprained wrist.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), who took over as Senate GOP leader in January, reassured reporters after the weekly Senate GOP policy luncheon that McConnell was “fine” and “in his office.” He directed further inquiries to McConnell’s staff.

Medical personnel reportedly brought in a wheelchair to assist McConnell after his latest fall. Sen. John Barrasso, the newly appointed Senate GOP whip, informed the Daily Mail that McConnell “is fine.” According to McConnell’s office, he had been “cleared to resume his schedule.”

Last year, McConnell reaffirmed that he was “not leaving the Senate” and emphasized his commitment to opposing the Republican Party’s “isolationist movement,” a stance some interpreted as a critique of President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration.

In a WHAS radio interview with host Terry Meiners, McConnell reiterated his dedication to remaining in the Senate and countering efforts within the GOP to scale back U.S. support for foreign allies, including Israel and Ukraine.

Despite stepping down as party leader, McConnell made it clear: “I’m not leaving the Senate.” He further stated, “I’m particularly involved in actually fighting back against the isolationist movement in my own party and so many others as well.”