Mitch McConnell

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell

Political commentator and top Trump ally Laura Loomer has claimed that Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell is "officially brain dead" and "not coming back," citing what she described as a "high level source close to the White House."

In a post on X, Loomer wrote, "NEW: High level source close to the White House tells me 'Mitch McConnell is officially brain dead. He's not coming back.'"

Neither McConnell's office nor official Senate sources have confirmed Loomer's claim. McConnell's office has not publicly commented on the allegation.

What Happened to Mitch McConnell?

McConnell has been hospitalized since June 14. His office initially announced that the 84-year-old senator had been admitted to the hospital and was "receiving excellent care." No details about his medical condition were disclosed.

A week later, his office said he would not be voting in the Senate that week. In its most recent update on Thursday, McConnell's staff said he remained hospitalized but was recovering.

"He continues to improve" and "appreciates the outpouring of support he's receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital," his office said.

No additional updates have been released since then. It is also unclear whether the longtime Kentucky senator will return to the Capitol when the Senate reconvenes next week.

McConnell's hospitalization comes after several health-related incidents in recent years. In March 2023, he suffered a concussion after falling at a Washington hotel and missed several weeks of Senate work. Later that year, he twice froze during news conferences before aides assisted him.

In 2024, McConnell sprained his wrist after falling while leaving a Republican luncheon. He has also spoken publicly about the long-term effects of contracting polio as a child, which has affected his walking and ability to climb stairs. In 2019, he underwent surgery for a fractured shoulder after a fall at his Kentucky home.

McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and served as the Republican leader from 2007 until stepping down from that position last year. He is serving out his final Senate term, which ends in January, and has remained active as a rank-and-file senator when the chamber is in session.

Mitch McConnell's Wife Under Fire for Controversial China Trip

McConnell's hospitalization has also drawn attention to his wife, former US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, after the Chinese government disclosed that she met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing just three days after the Kentucky senator was admitted to the hospital.

According to a news release posted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States, Chao met Han on June 17, while McConnell remained hospitalized after being admitted on June 14.

The statement did not indicate whether Chao's visit was connected to any official US government business. However, it said both leaders expressed support for strengthening ties between the two countries.

According to the Chinese government's statement, Han said the two sides "agreed on a new vision of a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, providing important strategic guidance for future bilateral relations."

Chao served as US Secretary of Transportation from 2017 to 2021 and previously served as Secretary of Labor under former President George W. Bush. She has been married to McConnell since 1993.

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Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in covering US News, politics, global affairs, sports, and other domains. Apart ... View More

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