Ingraham says McConnell ‘no longer capable of working full-time’

Fox News host Laura Ingraham took aim Wednesday at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) after he appeared to freeze up while taking questions at an event in Kentucky, his second such incident this summer.

The Fox host said that the Republican senator’s second apparent “freeze” shows that he is “no longer capable of working full time.”

“Our government is about to begin what are monumental negotiations over the budget and appropriations,” Ingraham said on her nightly program Wednesday.

“Five men are supposed to play a dominant role in those talks,” she said. “Biden is 80 years old, Schumer, 72, McConnell, 81. And McCarthy, Hakeem Jeffries both in their 50s. Now this means at least two of those five involved in deciding how we spend trillions of our tax dollars, they’re no longer capable of working full-time, and both sadly show obvious symptoms of both serious physical and cognitive decline.”

Video released Wednesday showed the Senate GOP leader being asked for his thoughts about running for reelection in 2026 during a press conference in Covington, Ky. He twice asked the reporter to repeat the question, before freezing mid-sentence and looking ahead for roughly 30 seconds.

McConnell was then approached by an aide who asked, “Did you hear the question, senator? Running for reelection in 2026?” McConnell replied with a word that was inaudible. Around 30 seconds later, McConnell said, “OK.”

His aide continued the gaggle, asking reporters to “please speak up.” 

A spokesperson for McConnell later said he “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.” Another aide said he “feels fine,” but “as a prudential measure, the Leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event.”

The age of members of Congress has also been in the spotlight after Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), 90, was hospitalized again last week after being absent for more than two months earlier this year due to prior health issues. McConnell sparked discussion about his age he froze during a press conference late last month.

Ingraham also commented on President Biden’s age, which is increasingly becoming a challenge the president faces in his reelection campaign.

Biden is already the oldest person to serve as president, and he would be 86 at the end of his second term if he is reelected. Meanwhile, the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, former President Trump, is 77 years old.

“Biden is likely compromised not just by his health, but by the millions and millions his family has made overseas. But being corrupt is bad. Being corrupt and senile is even worse,” Ingraham said.

“And as for Sen. McConnell, he should be at home enjoying his twilight years. He did some really good stuff with Supreme Court nominations, and he should get credit for that. But every member of the Republican conference should have compassionately urged him to step aside five weeks ago, which is the last time when this happened. The fact that no one did this to our knowledge is stunning and frankly irresponsible.”