- by foxnews
- 19 Aug 2025
McConnell, who is 82 years old and a survivor of childhood polio, fell down the stairs and was quickly assisted by Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.
It is not clear whether he suffered any injuries, but Fox News was told the former leader appears to be OK.
"Senator McConnell is fine. The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work," said a McConnell spokesperson.
The senator is currently using a wheelchair out of an abundance of caution.
The fall wasn't seen by reporters, however the then-leader was seen in a wheelchair afterward.
He was not present for the weekly press conference that day, but other GOP Senate leadership members assured that he was okay.
At the time, his spokesperson said, "Leader McConnell tripped following lunch. He sustained a minor cut to the face and sprained his wrist. He has been cleared to resume his schedule."
The incident, which occurred during a dinner for the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), landed him in the hospital. "Leader McConnell tripped at a dinner event Wednesday evening and has been admitted to the hospital and is being treated for a concussion. He is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days of observation and treatment," said his communications director said in a statement at the time.
"The Leader is grateful to the medical professionals for their care and to his colleagues for their warm wishes."
"You OK, Mitch?" Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., asked at the time. "Is there anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?"
"One of life's most underappreciated talents is to know when it's time to move on to life's next chapter," he said in floor remarks. "So I stand before you today... to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate."
He was succeeded by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who won a secret ballot conference election in November.
McConnell was the longest serving party leader in the history of the Senate, holding onto the position for 17 years.
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