Mitch McConnell’s resignation had nothing to do with health concerns and freezes, aides say
Mitch McConnell’s aides insist his decision to resign from Senate leadership is not related to his health.
The 81-year-old Republican from Kentucky announced in an emotional speech from the Senate on Wednesday that he will end his term as Senate Republican Leader in November – but will continue to serve in Congress.
It follows a series of health problems in recent years that have raised questions about his mental and physical condition and whether he is fit to continue serving in the Senate.
However, McConnell’s aides insist his decision to step down from his leadership role has nothing to do with his apparent declining health.
“After all this time, I still get a kick out of walking into the Capitol,” McConnell said, his voice breaking with emotion. ‘But Father Time remains undefeated.’
McConnell, a polio survivor, is the longest-serving Senate leader in U.S. history, having been in office for nearly 18 years.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, made a surprise announcement Wednesday that he will step down from Republican leadership in November — but Kentucky will continue to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Aides to the Senate Republican leader insist the decision had nothing to do with McConnell’s health – despite a series of worrying incidents over the past year, including two freezes. Pictured: McConnell froze for more than 30 seconds during a public appearance in Kentucky on August 30, 2023, before being escorted off stage
Last year, McConnell suffered a concussion after a fall and experienced two separate episodes of verbally and physically freezing while speaking in public.
This has led to continued calls in recent months — especially from Donald Trump supporters — for the Senate minority leader to step aside and let a younger person take over.
McConnell remains the last member of the Republican leadership in Congress not to support Trump’s re-election as president.
“One of life’s most underappreciated talents is knowing when it’s time to move on to the next chapter of life,” McConnell said in his Senate speech on Wednesday.
“It’s time for me to think about a new season,” he added.
The Kentucky Republican was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and was elected head of the conference in 2007, but faced hostility from conservatives who had pledged their allegiance to Trump.
McConnell suddenly stopped talking and fellow senators had to help him walk away from the stage during his news conference at the Capitol on July 26, 2023
A timeline of Senator McConnell’s physical and mental hiccups in 2023
McConnell leaves a Republican luncheon on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, after announcing he will resign as Republican leader in the Senate. He noted the “particularly difficult” period for his family after his sister-in-law died suddenly this month
An emotional McConnell took to the Senate on Wednesday to announce his surprising news, with only about half the seats filled.
He said it has been an “extremely difficult” time for his family after his sister-in-law Angela Chao drowned at her Texas estate on February 15.
Angela Chao, head of the dry bulk shipping company, died over the weekend, with her family saying they were devastated by the news. Chao is pictured at the New York City Opera Pre-Gala Celebration in 2010
“I turned 82 last week, the end of my contributions is closer than I would like,” he said.
“If you had told me 40 years later that I would be standing before you as the longest-serving Senate leader in American history, I would honestly have told you that you had lost your mind,” a very emotional McConnell said in a lighthearted moment.
McConnell, who is up for re-election in two years in 2026, said he is “not going anywhere anytime soon” and will remain a U.S. senator despite stepping down from leadership.
“As I thought about when I would deliver news to the Senate, I always imagined a moment when I had total clarity and peace about the sunset of my work.” McConnell said. ‘
‘A moment when I know for sure that I have contributed to preserving the ideals in which I believe so strongly. It arrived today.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. as he walked to the Senate floor to speak
He praised the support of his wife, former Department of Transportation Sec. Elaine Chao, who has been by his side for 31 years.
He said he “deeply appreciates the time that helped shape my view of the world without conflict about what is good in our country and the irreplaceable role we play as the leader of the free world.”
“That’s why I’m working so hard to get the national security package passed earlier this month,” he continued.
“Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular time, I have many mistakes. Misunderstandings about politics are not part of that.’
“One of life’s most underrated talents is knowing when it’s time to move on to the next chapter of life,” McConnell continued.
“So today I stand before you to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.”
He said he is “not going anywhere anytime soon” and will remain a U.S. senator despite stepping down from leadership.
An emotional McConnell took to the Senate on Wednesday to announce his surprising news, with only about half the seats filled
McConnell was enthusiastic about the support of his wife, a former secondary Department of Transportation secretary. Elaine Chao, who has been by his side for 31 years
Pictured: Senator-elect Mitch McConnell in Washington, DC on November 26, 1984
Mitch McConnell and his wife Elaine Chao wave to their supporters after he was re-elected to the Senate in 2004
Trump and McConnell have had a tense relationship since December 2020when the senator refused to say the election was stolen.
However, the two were in talks about an endorsement that could bring together the MAGA- and Trump-reluctant wings of the Republican Party, a source involved confirmed to DailyMail.com.
A nod from the Republican leader could have opened up a whole new class of donors backing Trump, who has already been forced to spend $50 million on legal bills.
For years, Trump has launched vicious attacks on McConnell, whom he describes as an “old crow” and even a “piece of shit.”
McConnell noted that when he arrived in the Senate, “I was just happy if anyone remembered my name.” During his 1984 campaign, when Reagan visited Kentucky, the president referred to him as “Mitch O’Donnell.”