At McConnell's press conference, he suddenly responded "dumbfounded" to Biden: "It's all caused by sandbags." His body | United States | Senate | Biden | At the meeting | Sandbags | Report | McConnell
On July 27th, according to comprehensive US media reports, recently, the Republican leader of the US Senate, McConnell, briefly left after a prolonged "stalemate" at a press conference, sparking concerns in the US political community about his health. After receiving a greeting call from President Biden, he joked, "It's all caused by sandbags.".
On July 26th local time, at the weekly press conference, 81 year old McConnell suddenly stopped speaking and looked ahead with a dull gaze.
On the 26th local time, during his weekly press conference, 81 year old McConnell suddenly stopped talking and looked ahead with a dull gaze. Due to his trembling body, he tightly grasped both sides of the podium, and the entire process lasted for more than 30 seconds.
According to reports, people around McConnell quickly approached him to inquire if he was well, and the press conference was taken over by Senate Minority Whip Tun.
Subsequently, after a brief absence, McConnell returned to the scene and answered questions from reporters about his physical condition. He said, "I'm doing well," and stated that he has the ability to complete his work. Assistant said that McConnell only briefly left after feeling dizzy.
According to reports, on the evening of that day, McConnell revealed to reporters that he had received a phone call from President Biden, telling him that "it was all caused by sandbags.". US media pointed out that "sandbags" refer to the incident where Biden was publicly tripped by a sandbag with a fixed teleprompter while attending the graduation ceremony of the US Air Force Academy in June.
According to reports, in March, McConnell fell during an event with Republican donors and was diagnosed with a "concussion" after being sent to the hospital. He was not discharged until 5 days later. After returning to work in April, he continued to work as usual, but occasionally he couldn't hear the reporter's questions clearly. In addition, he has also experienced other wrestling accidents and health problems, and his legs and feet are not very convenient due to childhood polio.
McConnell has publicly discussed his experience with polio and publicly stated in 2018 that due to his painful personal experience, he hopes to eradicate the disease worldwide. McConnell also documented his struggle against illness and efforts to recover in his 2016 memoir "The Long Game".
The US political community has expressed concern for McConnell's physical condition. "I have always hoped that McConnell will be fine," said Schumer, the majority leader of the United States Senate. Iowa Senator Johnny Ernst stood next to McConnell at the time of the incident and told the media, "I'm just a little worried, I hope everyone is safe."