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‘Nothing to add’: Mitch McConnell’s office shares latest health update
Forty days since his hospitalization, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is continuing to recover, according to the latest update from his office.
After weeks of speculation, McConnell revealed in a statement on July 12 that he experienced a fall that left him “briefly unconscious,” as well as a subsequent “mild case” of pneumonia.
McConnell, 84, said that he expects to return to the Senate to finish the remainder of his term, which ends in early January, but did not provide a timeline.
His disclosure — the first time he weighed on his status since June 14, the day was hospitalized — came as his office had not publicly explained what had occurred or released details on his condition.
HuffPost asked the Kentucky Republican’s office on Thursday for a health update or further details on when he plans to return to work, now over a week since he broke his silence.
The request prompted a spokesperson to share the same statement from the senator from days ago.
“The Senator continues to improve and we will be sure to keep you updated – in the meantime, nothing to add to what he shared,” his spokesperson said in an email to the outlet, adding a link to McConnell’s previous comments to his constituents.
Despite the reassurance from his office, some critics and conservative voices have called for more transparency from McConnell.
In his statement, McConnell included a photo of him smiling beside his wife, Elaine Chao, and noted that he had moved to a rehabilitation center to continue to regain his strength.
Some online have instead argued for McConnell to post a recorded video of him saying that he is OK — a move they argue will prove he is still alive and coherent.
The Daily Beast reported on Tuesday that McConnell’s office had refused to answer “basic questions” about him, like with the HuffPost, including whether he has spoken to his staff in recent days, his cognitive status and when he is expected to return to work.
The outlet also spotted security vehicles sitting outside of the George Washington University Hospital over the last few days, and suggested they belonged to the senator.