McConnell says he was "briefly unconscious," had pneumonia in health update
Sen. Mitch McConnell released a statement on his health on Sunday along with a photo of himself and his wife, Elaine Chao, after questions swirled about his condition.
Updated on: July 12, 2026 / 6:07 PM EDT / CBS News
"You all know how folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older," the senator said, addressing growing questions about his well-being. "Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct — I can't help it."
The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican has been hospitalized since June 14 , his office said. On the same day, emergency medical personnel responded to an unconscious person at McConnell's home, according to a public EMS dispatch call reviewed by CBS News earlier this month.
"My doctors have confirmed that I didn't break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn't have a heart attack or a stroke. I don't have any tumors or hemorrhages," McConnell said Sunday. "But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I've also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia."
His doctors are trying to figure out what caused the incident, McConnell said, adding he's doing everything they ask to speed up his recovery.