NBC News reports Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had experienced a number of physical stumbles prior to the lengthy zombie-like pause during an afternoon press briefing Wednesday, including a previously unreported one earlier this month at Reagan National Airport in which he “face planted” while disembarking from a plane.
The 81-year-old McConnell, who survived contracting polio as a two-year-old and has always been particularly careful negotiating stairs, fell at a fundraiser held at a DC hotel in March which resulted in a concussion that led to a month of hospitalization and rehab. He has been using a wheelchair when moving through crowded airports as a precautionary measure. On July 14th, McConnell was exiting a flight that had been delayed after everyone had boarded and according to another passenger on the flight, McConnell had a “face plant” on the jetway while deplaning.
McConnell stopped by a gaggle of reporters later Wednesday evening, commenting that President Biden called to check on him. When asked how he felt, McConnell replied, “I’m fine.” When asked if he knew what happened, McConnell replied, “I’m fine.”