McConnell Had A ‘Face Plant’ Getting Off Plane Weeks Before Bizarre Freeze Incident

According to a new report, elderly Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tripped and fell on his face while disembarking a plane earlier this month — just a few weeks before his concerning freeze incident on Wednesday.

Critics on both sides of the aisle are calling for McConnell to step down for health reasons after the 81-year-old senator froze for nearly 20 seconds while giving opening remarks at his regular press conference on Wednesday.

“Well, good afternoon, everyone. We’re on a path to finishing the NDAA this week. There’s been good bipartisan cooperation, as well as a string of, uh —” McConnell began before trailing off. After almost 20 seconds, McConnell’s colleagues Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Jon Thune (R-SD) and John Barrasso (R-WY) showed visible concern and ultimately led him away.

Some critics are claiming that the freeze was due to a stroke, while others attributed the pause to an absent seizure. Regardless, most agree that McConnell is clearly suffering from some sort of health issue due to his advanced age.

Now, a new report from NBC News has given credibility to the critics — pointing to a recent fall that could have caused or been a symptom of a health problem. According to two sources familiar with the incident, McConnell tripped and fell while disembarking a plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — though they noted that he had sustained no serious injuries and had resumed business as usual that day.

“The fall, which has not been previously reported, occurred July 14 after the flight out of Washington was canceled while everyone was on board,” NBC reported. “McConnell who was a passenger, had a ‘face plant,’ someone who was on the plane at the time but did not witness the fall told NBC News. That passenger also said they spoke to another passenger who helped tend to McConnell.”

The elderly senator has reportedly been using a wheelchair as a precaution when navigating crowded airports. As a survivor of polio, McConnell has a history of numerous falls. As NBC News noted, McConnell “sustained a concussion and a cracked rib in a fall in Washington this year,” which prompted him to spend six weeks away from the Capitol and sparked rumors of retirement.

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