Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was hospitalized after a fall at the former Trump Hotel in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night, according to a report by Punchbowl News. There is no word on McConnell’s condition or injury. (Updates at end.)
McConnell spokesman Doug Andres gave a brief statement to the media, “This evening, Leader McConnell tripped at a local hotel during a private dinner. He has been admitted to the hospital where he is receiving treatment”
File screen image.
Punchbowl News reported the fall happened at the Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Trump Hotel in D.C.
“NEWS: @LeaderMcConnell has been hospitalized following a fall at a DC hotel. Per a McConnell spokesman: “This evening, Leader McConnell tripped at a local hotel during a private dinner. He has been admitted to the hospital where he is receiving treatment.”…/2 The 81-year old McConnell was at an event at the Waldorf Astoria DC when he fell, according to our sources. We have no further information on the extent of McConnell’s injuries or his prognosis”
/2 The 81-year old McConnell was at an event at the Waldorf Astoria DC when he fell, according to our sources.
We have no further information on the extent of McConnell’s injuries or his prognosis
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) March 9, 2023
McConnell, 81, has a limp from a childhood case of polio in 1944.
McConnell fractured his shoulder in 2019 in a fall at his Louisville, Kentucky home (CNN excerpt):
“This morning, Leader McConnell tripped at home on his outside patio and suffered a fractured shoulder,” David Popp, McConnell’s communications director, said in a statement. “He has been treated, released, and is working from home in Louisville.”
McConnell made headlines this week by criticizing the release of January 6 Capitol riot video by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson.
Thursday morning update: McConnell’s staff has still not disclosed his injuries. NBC News reported D.C. E.M.S. responded to a call at the Waldorf Astoria Wednesday night but would not elaborate (excerpt):
Vito Maggiolo, a spokesman for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, said Thursday morning that an “adult male” was transported from the Waldorf Astoria at 9:17 p.m. Wednesday, and the call was dispatched after a report of a fall at the hotel. The person was transported to a local hospital and “notes did not indicate patient condition,” he said.
He said he could not specify whether the person who fell was McConnell or which hospital he was taken to, citing privacy issues under a federal law restricting release of medical information.
The Democrat’s 51-49 Senate majority has taken a hit recently with the absences of John Fetterman (D-PA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). NBC’s Today Show presented an analysis of how McConnell’s absence might affect the Senate:
A spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tells @ryanobles @NBCNews that he is recovering after tripping at a hotel. pic.twitter.com/KADN5nIR0Z
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 9, 2023
CBS News reported McConnell was attending a high-dollar fundraising event (excerpt):
“On Thursday night, McConnell appeared at a reception and separate private dinner hosted by the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC he launched to help elect Republicans to the Senate. He first appeared in the Franklin Room ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria and hosted a separate dinner afterward in the hotel for the PAC’s largest donors.”
Update 10:34 a.m. EST: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday morning he tried to call McConnell but could only speak with staff, reported Bloomberg Government’s Nancy Ognanovich, “As #McConnell remains hospitalized, #Schumer says he called GOP lawmaker this AM but was able to only speak briefly w staff ‘to extend my prayers and well wishes’ ‘My thoughts are also with Leader McConnell’s family and his team,’ he says #Mitch not expected back today”
NEWS: As #McConnell remains hospitalized, #Schumer says he called GOP lawmaker this AM but was able to only speak briefly w staff 'to extend my prayers and well wishes'
'My thoughts are also with Leader McConnell's family and his team,' he says#Mitch not expected back today pic.twitter.com/MsiqYPpMcC
— Nancy Ognanovich (@NOgnanovich) March 9, 2023
There is still no word from McConnell’s staff on his condition or injuries as of 11 a.m. EST
More: McConnell not able to take calls from fellow Republicans, reported CNN’s Manu Raju, “Many senators have reached out to McConnell but haven’t heard back yet. Most members don’t know the extent of McConnell’s injuries, including John Thune, the No. 2 Republican. “I have not talked to him directly.”
Many senators have reached out to McConnell but haven’t heard back yet. Most members don’t know the extent of McConnell’s injuries, including John Thune, the No. 2 Republican. “I have not talked to him directly.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 9, 2023
