Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to freeze while speaking Wednesday at a press conference, with an aide stepping in to repeat a question asked while the senator remained silent.
This is the second time McConnell has appeared unable to speak this summer during an interaction with reporters.
A reporter had asked McConnell about potentially running for re-election in 2026 when McConnell appeared to stammer briefly and then freeze.
An aide stepped in to repeat the question but McConnell did not resume speaking.
“All right, I’m sorry, you all. We’re going to need a minute,” the aide said during roughly 30-second interval during which McConnell remained silent.
A second aide stepped in to whisper in McConnell’s ear.
McConnell ultimately resumed the press conference, answering two other questions posed to him, though both needed to be repeated to him, NBC News reported.
