Update: Reports of Senator Mitch McConnell’s death were greatly exaggerated. CNN political contributor Scott Jennings spoke with the Senator this morning (July 7).
Jennings tweeted: “I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history. I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible.”
I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a…
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) July 7, 2026
Right-wing activist Laura Loomer claimed a “high-level” White House source told her McConnell was “brain dead” and won’t return to the halls of Congress.
“Mitch McConnell is being kept ‘alive’ by life support machines, but my White House source told me McConnell is in organ failure, and as I reported, source told me he has allegedly been declared a vegetable (brain dead) by doctors and the White House has been told ‘McConnell isn’t ever coming back,” she tweeted on Monday.
NEW:
High level source close to the White House tells me “Mitch McConnell is officially brain dead. He’s not coming back.”
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) July 6, 2026
McConnell, 84, was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Washington, DC home on June 14. He was reportedly found “unconscious”.
ABC News reviewed 911 dispatch audio directing medics to an “ALS response” at McConnell’s address in D.C. on June 14. “ALS” stands for Advanced Life Support. The dispatcher referred to an “unconscious” person at McConnell’s home.
Later in the audio, a medic responded to the dispatcher, saying “inform supervisor CPR in progress” and “EMS to respond, for cardiac arrest.”
A spokesperson for McConnell provided an update on McConnell’s condition on Thursday. “Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session,” the spokesperson said.
In a June 22 statement, McConnell’s office said, “Senator McConnell is still working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery. However, he will not be voting this week.”
Sen. McConnell was prone to accidents in recent years. In 2019, he suffered a shoulder fracture when he tripped and fell outside on a patio at his home in Kentucky.
In 2023, he was hospitalized after he tripped and fell in a hotel.
On July 26, 2023, McConnell appeared to freeze for more than 20 seconds while speaking at a Washington, DC press conference. He later said, “I’m fine.” His office said it was nothing.
On this day one year ago, Mitch McConnell froze at a press conference. pic.twitter.com/2p8aZNi4KO
— Know Your Meme (@knowyourmeme) July 26, 2024
On August 30, 2023, McConnell froze for 30 seconds at a press conference in Kentucky, when a reporter asked him a question.
On December 10, 2024, McConnell suffered a sprained wrist and a small cut on his face when he fell at a Senate GOP lunch.
On February 5, 2025, McConnell fell down a flight of steps after leaving the Senate Chamber.
Senator McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, won’t seek re-election. He was previously the Senate Majority Leader.