Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) returned to the Capitol on Monday and cast his first vote in more than three months following a fall that left him briefly unconscious.
“Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June,&#8221; McConnell said in a statement. &#8220;I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues.”
McConnell, 84, entered the Senate chamber in a wheelchair and voted on a judicial nomination. He had not voted since June 11, three days before he was hospitalized following the fall at his Washington home.
“My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier,&#8221; McConnell said. &#8220;I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me.”
The senator made clear that Monday&#8217;s vote would not be a one-time appearance.
&#8220;Elaine and I are very grateful for all the continued well wishes from our fellow Kentuckians, and I&#8217;m glad to get back to more of business as usual on their behalf this month,&#8221; he said.
McConnell&#8217;s prolonged absence had prompted questions about his health. In July, Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/14/politics/mitch-mcconnell-senate-return-health">sent</a> McConnell a letter to McConnell saying his constituents &#8220;have grown increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and wellbeing, and ability to hold office in the United States Senate.”
“As Governor, I request that you fully update Kentuckians regarding the current status of your health,” Beshear wrote.
McConnell <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/after-28-days-of-silence-mitch-mcconnell-offers-proof-of-life-from-hospital">shared</a> a photo from his hospital bed in July and said he continued working with his legislative staff during his recovery. He also said doctors had determined that he had not suffered broken bones, a concussion, a heart attack, a stroke, tumors, or hemorrhages. McConnell said he contracted &#8220;a mild case of pneumonia” during his hospital stay.
He was later transferred to a rehabilitation facility and returned home in August to continue undergoing physical therapy.
McConnell has announced that he will not seek re-election. His seventh and final Senate term ends in January 2027.

Sen. Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell Returns To Capitol Hill For First Time Since June, Casts Key Vote

andy beshear

kentucky

mitch mcconnell

politics

senate

A top House Republican has laid out a potential timeline for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) return to Washington, D.C., following a months-long hospitalization as questions continue to swirl around the Kentucky Republican’s health.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said Thursday he expects McConnell to return to Capitol Hill the week after Labor Day, when the Senate reconvenes from its five-week recess on September 14.
“I expect that. I sure hope so,” Comer <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/6069343-comer-mitch-mcconnell-absence-return-update/">told</a> a reporter when asked about a September return, while cautioning that he has not spoken with the former majority leader personally.
“They have all said it’s their goal for Sen. McConnell to be here when the Senate comes in next week,” Comer added.
McConnell’s office has not confirmed the timeline. In August, the longtime senator <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sen-mitch-mcconnell-gives-major-update-after-months-in-hospital?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Sen.+Mitch+McConnell+Gives+Major+Update+After+Months+In+Hospital">announced</a> that he had been released from a rehabilitation facility and would continue his recovery at his Kentucky home, ending a months-long hospitalization that renewed calls for the 84-year-old to resign.
“Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I’ve received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff,” McConnell <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sen-mitch-mcconnell-gives-major-update-after-months-in-hospital?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Sen.+Mitch+McConnell+Gives+Major+Update+After+Months+In+Hospital">said</a> in the statement.
McConnell, who is not running for re-election, provided no timeline for a possible return to Washington, D.C. Between June 15, 2026, and August 8, 2026, McConnell missed 60 of 60 roll call votes. He last voted on June 11, <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/missing">according to a government tracker.</a>  
“On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business,” McConnell said in the latest health update.
The 84-year-old’s extended hospitalization has fueled mounting questions about both his health and what would happen if Kentucky’s longest-serving senator were unable to complete his final term. He has been absent from the Senate <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senator-mitch-mcconnell-hospitalized?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=84-Year-Old+Mitch+McConnell+Hospitalized+After+%E2%80%98Unknown+Medical+Incident%E2%80%99">since June 14</a>, when emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington residence following what was widely reported as emergency radio traffic describing a cardiac arrest requiring CPR. 
Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear publicly called on the Republican to provide more information about his condition or step aside.
The lack of transparency sparked widespread speculation online. It has also drawn renewed attention to an unusual wrinkle in Kentucky election law that could become significant if McConnell vacates his seat before his term expires in January 2027. With a Democrat occupying the governor’s office, Republican lawmakers<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-legislature-senate-vacancies-faf6f1f41fa42c3e0b818fc3fb3d4d4a"> recently moved</a> to eliminate the governor’s appointment authority in favor of a special election process.
Previous health updates have included photos of McConnell with his wife, Elaine Chao, as well as statements from his physician. However, his office has not provided the media or the public with a video statement or an appearance by McConnell during his extended absence.

Mitch McConnell

Top Republican ‘Expects’ McConnell To Return Later This Month

james comer

Kentucky Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman sued a radical Left-wing organization that pushes abortion pills to women in states where the deadly drugs are banned. 
The civil <a href="https://www.ag.ky.gov/Press%20Release%20Attachments/DN%201_Complaint.pdf">lawsuit</a> accuses New York-based Mayday Health, founded by a former Biden official, of violating Kentucky consumer protection laws by promoting access to abortion pills that state law prohibits from being mailed or delivered into the Bluegrass State. 
The move comes after Mayday Health chartered a plane that flew over the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville last weekend, displaying a banner reading “Abortion Pills By Mail.” The group previously sponsored ads at gas stations across the state reading, &#8220;Pregnant? Don&#8217;t want to be? Learn more at Mayday Health.&#8221;
“These out-of-state activists are not only breaking Kentucky law, they seem to delight in rubbing our faces in it,&#8221; Coleman said. “The State Fair is a beloved Kentucky tradition for families and children to celebrate our Commonwealth. We refuse to allow Mayday to taint our values and put our people at risk.”
Coleman&#8217;s lawsuit argues that Mayday&#8217;s advertisements violate state consumer-protection laws by directing residents to providers that will covertly ship the drugs into Kentucky.
&#8220;These advertisements and the Mayday.health website furthers and is integral to the criminal conduct of distributing these drugs in an illegal manner at least in part because it connects, directs, and funnels consumers to distributors who ship these drugs illegally,&#8221; the lawsuit says. &#8220;These distributors would not have shipped those drugs to the consumer but for Mayday.health’s website and advertisements directing the consumer to them.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_1172057" style="width: 1282px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1172057" class="size-full wp-image-1172057" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-03-at-2.42.41-PM.png" alt="" width="1272" height="1032" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-03-at-2.42.41-PM.png 1272w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-03-at-2.42.41-PM-300x243.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-03-at-2.42.41-PM-710x576.png 710w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-03-at-2.42.41-PM-768x623.png 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1272px) 100vw, 1272px" />KY AG lawsuit.</div>
The suit asks a judge to permanently block Mayday from running similar promotions in the state and impose fines on the organization.
Coleman&#8217;s office has investigated the radical organization since January, when the group sponsored advertisements at gas stations in Christian, Simpson, and Logan counties.
The pro-abortion group does not distribute abortion pills itself, but its website directs women to outside providers and offers instructions for obtaining the pills through telehealth appointments and mail-forwarding services. The site also provides information about minimizing users&#8217; digital footprints.
<div id="attachment_1171855" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1171855" class="size-full wp-image-1171855" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/MixCollage-01-Sep-2026-03-11-PM-9201.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/MixCollage-01-Sep-2026-03-11-PM-9201.jpg 2560w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/MixCollage-01-Sep-2026-03-11-PM-9201-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/MixCollage-01-Sep-2026-03-11-PM-9201-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/MixCollage-01-Sep-2026-03-11-PM-9201-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/MixCollage-01-Sep-2026-03-11-PM-9201-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/MixCollage-01-Sep-2026-03-11-PM-9201-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />KY Right to Life.</div>
The leftist group argues that it shares constitutionally protected information about abortion pills rather than selling or distributing them.
“We look forward to defending our First Amendment protected work in court — and winning, like we have against similar efforts to suppress our speech. Abortion pills are safe, effective and FDA-approved, and everyone deserves access to that information,&#8221; Mayday co-founder Leo Raisner told The Daily Wire. 
Raisner previously worked as traveling content director for President Joe Biden’s Office of Digital Strategy. 
In addition to directing women to abortion-pill providers, Mayday&#8217;s website promotes other Left-wing organizations that facilitate so-called &#8220;gender-affirming care.&#8221;
The pro-life organization Kentucky Right to Life spotted Mayday&#8217;s airplane banner.
“Mayday Health is back at it — flying their abortion pushing-pill-propaganda over Kentucky. Kentuckians deserve better than out-of-state activists pushing dangerous abortion drugs into our Commonwealth,” said Addia Wuchner, the group’s executive director. “We will continue to stand firm and protect life!”

Doctor used an Ultrasound  3d sonogram  monitor for  the fetus 22 weeks young adult patient pregnant

Radical Abortion Group Hit With State Lawsuit For Pushing Illegal Drugs

abortion

abortion pill

mayday health

russell coleman

A radical left-wing pro-abortion organization run by a former Biden official may have put itself in hot water for a stunt that directed women in a state where abortion pills are banned to get access to the deadly drugs.
Attendees at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville looked up over the weekend to see an airplane pulling a banner that read, “Abortion Pills By Mail.” The banner directed viewers to Mayday Health, a New York-based nonprofit that directs women to specific services that covertly ship abortion pills through the mail.
The pro-abortion message from the New York-based Mayday comes as pro-life state lawmakers across the country struggle to combat a flood of activist-provided abortion pills delivered through the mail. Kentucky is one of over a dozen states where medication abortions, administered through the drug mifepristone, are technically against the law.
Mayday&#8217;s latest stunt could land it in legal trouble after Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said they broke the law.
“It appears abortion activists are flying over Louisville advertising illegal drugs. They are breaking the law,”Coleman said. “Since January, our office has been investigating mail-order abortion pills. We will not tolerate this illegal danger.”
<div id="attachment_1169999" style="width: 555px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1169999" class="size-full wp-image-1169999" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-3.07.42-PM.png" alt="" width="545" height="607" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-3.07.42-PM.png 545w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-3.07.42-PM-269x300.png 269w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-3.07.42-PM-517x576.png 517w" sizes=" (max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px" />KY Right to Life.</div>
Kentucky is one of more than a dozen states where medication abortions using mifepristone are prohibited under state law. The growing flow of abortion pills through the mail has created a major enforcement battle between pro-life states and abortion activists operating outside their borders.
Coleman first launched an investigation into the Mayday in January after it sponsored advertisements at Kentucky gas stations reading, “Pregnant? Don’t want to be? Learn more at Mayday Health.”
The activist organization was founded by Olivia Raisner, who previously worked as traveling content director for President Joe Biden’s Office of Digital Strategy. Its website walks visitors through obtaining abortion pills by mail and directs them to services through which the drugs can be ordered.
The group also maintains a page devoted to “gender-affirming care resources,” directing visitors to activist organizations that can help cover the costs associated with transgender procedures.
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1169997" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-2.26.26-PM-scaled.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1060" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-2.26.26-PM-scaled.png 2560w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-2.26.26-PM-300x124.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-2.26.26-PM-1024x424.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-2.26.26-PM-768x318.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-2.26.26-PM-1536x636.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-01-at-2.26.26-PM-2048x848.png 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></div>
The airplane banner was spotted by the pro-life organization Kentucky Right to Life.
“Mayday Health is back at it — flying their abortion pushing-pill-propaganda over Kentucky. Kentuckians deserve better than out-of-state activists pushing dangerous abortion drugs into our Commonwealth,” said Addia Wuchner, the group’s executive director. “We will continue to stand firm and protect life!” And Kentucky isn’t the first place Mayday has taken its message.
The organization has promoted abortion pills around the country, including at the U.S. Open in New York and at gas stations across South Dakota. In July, a Biden-appointed federal judge sided with Mayday after the organization sued to block a South Dakota law restricting advertisements for abortion pills.
Raisner defended the Kentucky banner by arguing that Mayday’s activities are protected speech under the First Amendment.
“Mayday shares information about abortion pills in states where clinics are banned or restricted,” she told Kentucky Today. “We want everyone to know that safe, effective abortion medication exists.”
Despite the claims that it just &#8220;share information,&#8221; Mayday&#8217;s website actively directs users to other secretive organizations that ship abortion pills anywhere in the country. These organizations typically send pills in flagrant violation of states laws without requiring identity verification or prescription.
Despite the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the number of abortions performed nationwide has increased, according to data compiled by organizations that support abortion rights. Tens of thousands of abortions are now estimated to be taking place among residents of states such as Texas and Tennessee, where abortion is heavily restricted, with abortion pills obtained through the mail playing a significant role.
In Kentucky, the estimated number of abortions increased from 950 in 2023 to 2,970 in 2024.
Pro-life organizations have consequently pushed the Trump administration to reverse Biden-era FDA policies that expanded access to abortion pills through the mail. The FDA says it is currently conducting a safety review of mifepristone.

Screenshot 2026-09-01 at 3.10.55 PM

Abortion Radicals Under Investigation For Plane Stunt Advertising Illegal Abortion Drugs

mifepristone

An investigation is underway into the death of a 10-month-old baby after a Kentucky doctor reportedly left her granddaughter in a hot car for roughly eight hours.
Scottie Crowell was found dead on August 13 inside a vehicle parked outside Owensboro Health Multicare in Madisonville, police said, according to <a href="https://www.14news.com/2026/08/14/police-baby-mistakenly-left-car-dies-heat/">WFIE</a>.
Dr. Stacey Fazenbaker had picked up her 10-month-old granddaughter that morning and was supposed to drop her off at daycare before heading to work, police said. Instead, Fazenbaker drove directly to work around 8 a.m., clocked in for her shift, and forgot that Scottie was still inside the vehicle. 
Later that day, Scottie&#8217;s father arrived at the daycare to pick up his daughter and was told that she had never been dropped off. 
Scottie&#8217;s mother then called Fazenbaker, who then remembered that the child was still in the vehicle. Fazenbaker ran outside with coworkers and found Scottie unresponsive. Emergency responders were called, but life-saving efforts proved futile.
“And of course, that sparked the memory. And she ran outside with some coworkers to get the child, but it was far too late by then,” Maj. Jackson McKnight said. “I get why people are like, how could you forget? How could you forget? I mean, that&#8217;s what we&#8217;re trying to nail down right now. But on the other side of this, we&#8217;re all human.” 
The high temperature reached 96 degrees that day, with a heat index of 115 degrees, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x5wKr5t0M0">WEHT reported</a>. 
Child Protective Services is assisting with the investigation, and no charges have been filed. Fazenbaker consented to a blood test, and the case is expected to go before a grand jury once the investigation is complete.
Fazenbaker is a board-certified physician who attended the University of Louisville School of Medicine and specializes in family medicine. 
On average, about <a href="https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/hotcars/">37</a> children under 15 die each year in the United States from heatstroke after being left or trapped in hot cars. 
An <a href="https://barnettstrother.com/obituaries/scottie-crowell?utm_source=search&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=standard&amp;cta=fh-website">obituary</a> for Scottie says she was born to Micah Ethan Crowell and Sydni Fazenbaker Crowell on September 20, 2025, and “entered into Heaven” on the day of the tragedy.

Baby Dies After Kentucky Doctor Forgets Grandchild In Scorching Car

child death investigation

hot car death

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced Thursday that he has been released from a rehabilitation facility and will continue his recovery at his Kentucky home, ending a months-long hospitalization that fueled speculation about his health and renewed calls for the 84-year-old to resign.
“Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I’ve received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff,&#8221; McConnell <a href="https://x.com/AndrewDesiderio/status/2085436771714650136?s=20">said in the statement</a>.
The Kentucky Republican, who is not running for reelection, provided no timeline on a possible return to Washington, D.C. Between June 15 and August 5, McConnell missed 51 roll call votes, <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/missing">according to a government tracker</a>. His absence could also derail Todd Blanche’s nomination to be the U.S. Attorney General, as the acting Attorney General is struggling to earn 50 votes for confirmation.
“On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business,&#8221; McConnell said in the latest health update.
The 84-year-old’s extended hospitalization has fueled mounting questions about both his health and what would happen if Kentucky’s longest-serving senator were unable to complete his final term. He has remained hospitalized <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senator-mitch-mcconnell-hospitalized?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=84-Year-Old+Mitch+McConnell+Hospitalized+After+%E2%80%98Unknown+Medical+Incident%E2%80%99">since June 14</a>, when emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington residence following what was widely reported as an emergency radio traffic describing a cardiac arrest requiring CPR. 
The lack of information sparked widespread speculation online. Still, it has also drawn renewed attention to an unusual wrinkle in Kentucky election law that could become significant if McConnell were to resign or otherwise vacate his seat before his term expires in January 2027. With a Democrat occupying the governor’s office, Republican lawmakers<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-legislature-senate-vacancies-faf6f1f41fa42c3e0b818fc3fb3d4d4a"> recently moved</a> to eliminate the governor’s appointment authority in favor of a special election process.
Previous health updates included photos with his wife, Elaine Chao, and statements from McConnell’s physician. 
“Senator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June. OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care,” the Office of the Attending Physician <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mcconnells-office-shares-new-photo-and-update-on-the-senator">said July 27</a>. “Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls.”
“His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office,” the OAP added.

Sen. Mitch McConnell Gives Major Update After Months In Hospital

elaine chao

todd blanche

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Monday said he is still recovering at a rehabilitation facility from a June medical episode, according to another health update from his office. 
In the statement, the Republican said he&#8217;s still undergoing treatment and won&#8217;t be attending local events this weekend. 
“I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday,” he said,<a href="https://www.wlky.com/article/sen-mitch-mcconnell-written-statement-photo-july-27/73274265"> according to local outlet WLKY.</a> “As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon.”
The health update included a fresh photo with his wife, Elaine Chao, and also provided a statement from McConnell’s physician. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
McConnell’s office releases a new photo plus a statement saying he is undergoing “intense physical therapy” and not ready to get back to work in person. No timeline for his return to the Senate. He has not been seen in the Capitol since his June 14 hospitalization. <a href="https://t.co/G9h99SboZA">pic.twitter.com/G9h99SboZA</a>
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) <a href="https://x.com/sahilkapur/status/2081767125555757332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
“Senator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June. OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care,” the Office of the Attending Physician said. “Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls.”
&#8220;His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office,” the OAP added. 
The 84-year-old’s extended hospitalization has fueled mounting questions about both his health and what would happen if Kentucky’s longest-serving senator were unable to complete his final term. He has remained hospitalized <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senator-mitch-mcconnell-hospitalized?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=84-Year-Old+Mitch+McConnell+Hospitalized+After+%E2%80%98Unknown+Medical+Incident%E2%80%99">since June 14</a>, when emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington residence following what was widely reported as an emergency radio traffic describing a cardiac arrest requiring CPR. 
The lack of information sparked widespread speculation online. Still, it has also drawn renewed attention to an unusual wrinkle in Kentucky election law that could become significant if McConnell were to resign or otherwise vacate his seat before his term expires in January 2027. With a Democrat occupying the governor’s office, Republican lawmakers<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-legislature-senate-vacancies-faf6f1f41fa42c3e0b818fc3fb3d4d4a"> recently moved</a> to eliminate the governor’s appointment authority in favor of a special election process.
McConnell, who is not running for another term, has missed <a href="https://www.wlky.com/article/sen-mitch-mcconnell-written-statement-photo-july-27/73274265">38 Senate votes</a> since the medical incident.

McConnell’s Office Shares New Photo And Update On The Senator

health

News

Republicans

U.S. Senate

Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) extended hospitalization has fueled mounting questions about both his health and what would happen if Kentucky&#8217;s longest-serving senator were unable to complete his final term.
The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican has remained hospitalized <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senator-mitch-mcconnell-hospitalized?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=84-Year-Old+Mitch+McConnell+Hospitalized+After+%E2%80%98Unknown+Medical+Incident%E2%80%99">since June 14</a>, when emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington residence following what widely reported emergency radio traffic described as a cardiac arrest requiring CPR. McConnell&#8217;s office has released only brief statements since then, declining to disclose the nature of his condition or his prognosis.
The lack of information has sparked widespread speculation online, but it has also drawn renewed attention to an unusual wrinkle in Kentucky election law that could become significant if McConnell were to resign or otherwise vacate his seat before his term expires in January 2027.
McConnell&#8217;s office attempted to tamp down speculation last week, issuing another short <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/07/02/congress/mcconnell-remains-hospitalized-00986648">statement</a>. 
&#8220;Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he&#8217;s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital,&#8221; his office said. &#8220;The Senator continues to improve and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.&#8221;
Beyond that statement, his office has declined to provide additional details regarding his medical condition. The limited disclosures have become increasingly notable as conservative commentators and online activists speculate about the senator&#8217;s status, with some questioning whether his office is withholding information until a key election-law deadline passes.
Much of that speculation centers on changes Kentucky lawmakers made last year to the state&#8217;s Senate vacancy process.
In 2024, Kentucky enacted House Bill 622, repealing the state&#8217;s previous law allowing the governor to appoint an interim U.S. senator and replacing it with a special-election process. Under the revised statute, if a Senate vacancy occurs before a term expires, the governor must issue a proclamation calling a special election to fill the remainder of that term.
Unlike many states, Kentucky no longer provides for an interim gubernatorial appointment under the statute.
However, adding another layer of complexity, Kentucky law does not require a separate special election if a vacancy occurs within three months of a regularly scheduled general election. This year&#8217;s three-month cutoff falls on August 3.
Legal experts caution, however, that Kentucky&#8217;s revised succession law has never been tested in court. Josh Douglass, associate dean for research at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, told <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/mitch-mcconnell-health-questions-raise-kentucky-senate-succession-issues-12159137">Newsweek</a> that the legislation could face constitutional questions because Section 152 of the Kentucky Constitution grants the governor appointment authority over statewide vacancies, while the Seventeenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution allows — but does not require — states to authorize temporary gubernatorial appointments before an election.
If challenged, courts would have to determine whether Kentucky&#8217;s revised statute is consistent with both the state and U.S. constitutions, all in a very short timeframe.
Complicating matters further, the statute provides detailed procedures for calling special elections but does not explicitly address how a vacancy would be handled when the same Senate seat is already scheduled to appear on the general-election ballot only months later. The uncertainty comes as Kentucky is already preparing to elect McConnell&#8217;s successor. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), who secured President Donald Trump&#8217;s endorsement and won the GOP primary, will face Democratic nominee Charles Booker in the general election for the seat. Barr enters the race as the clear favorite in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1992.
While questions surrounding Kentucky&#8217;s election law have attracted increasing attention, another aspect of McConnell&#8217;s hospitalization has generated its own round of speculation. Three days after McConnell was hospitalized, his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, traveled to Beijing as part of what her office described as a previously scheduled philanthropic trip connected to her family&#8217;s charitable work.
Chinese state media <a href="https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0618/c90000-20468740.html">published photographs</a> showing Chao meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who encouraged continued efforts to strengthen relations between Beijing and Washington.
The timing of the trip prompted even more speculation because of the limited public information surrounding McConnell&#8217;s condition. Chao&#8217;s <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/what-we-know-about-mitch-mcconnell-health-12165797">spokesperson rejected</a> suggestions that the travel reflected anything unusual. &#8220;The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family&#8217;s philanthropic endeavors,&#8221; the spokesperson said. &#8220;During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the U.S. ambassador. The Senator&#8217;s health did not warrant an immediate return to the U.S.&#8221;
For now, McConnell remains a sitting senator, and there has been no public indication that he intends to resign. But with his office continuing to release only brief updates, his prolonged hospitalization has placed renewed attention on Kentucky&#8217;s untested Senate succession law — and the unusual legal questions that could arise if his status were to change before voters elect his successor in November.

Rumors Swirl As Mitch McConnell Hospitalization Enters Fourth Week

Speaking to The Daily Wire on Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump called embattled Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) a &#8220;low life&#8221; and counted his ouster as a victory for the Republican Party.
&#8220;How are you feeling after this Massie defeat last night? What does it mean for the Republican party?&#8221; Daily Wire White House Correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan asked the president.
&#8220;We had a great number of victories — not just Massie,&#8221; Trump responded. &#8220;Massie is a low life.&#8221;
&#8220;We had a great number of victories,&#8221; the president added. &#8220;We won all races last night.&#8221;
Massie lost his primary election on Tuesday evening to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein. Additionally, other Trump-aligned candidates scored victories, including in Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, and Louisiana, while anti-Trump candidates struggled.
&#8220;I know how to win,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;I think I&#8217;ve proven that, haven&#8217;t I?&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="EXCLUSIVE: Trump reacts to defeat of ‘low life’ Thomas Massie" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xoms-lqh6YU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
On Truth Social, Trump posted about 37 different candidates with his backing who won their races. In another post, he said he had a 100% track record this election.
<div id="attachment_1098843" style="width: 596px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1098843" class="wp-image-1098843 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-20-at-12.21.00-PM-586x576.png" alt="" width="586" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-20-at-12.21.00-PM-586x576.png 586w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-20-at-12.21.00-PM-300x295.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-20-at-12.21.00-PM-768x755.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-20-at-12.21.00-PM-1536x1510.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-20-at-12.21.00-PM.png 1758w" sizes=" (max-width: 586px) 100vw, 586px" />Screenshot: Truth Social</div>
Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL, got the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/team-trump-goes-all-out-to-oust-thomas-massie">backing</a> of President Trump after Massie bucked the president on the war in Iran, the Epstein files, the &#8220;Big Beautiful Bill,&#8221; and other issues.
Back in May 2025, Trump made clear that he would <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/just-another-grandstander-trump-backs-primary-challenge-to-thomas-massie?utm_source=chatgpt.com">support a primary challenger to Massie</a>, adding that he’d “lead the charge against him.”
Then, in November, Trump unleashed on the former ally. Taking to Truth Social, the president <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-goes-nuclear-on-two-former-allies-says-hell-back-primary-challengers">wrote</a>, “Did Thomas Massie, sometimes referred to as Rand Paul Jr., because of the fact that he always votes against the Republican Party, get married already??? Boy, that was quick!”
Massie’s wife of over 31 years died in June 2024. Sixteen months after her passing, Massie married Carolyn Grace Moffa, 36, a former agriculture policy staffer for Senator Rand Paul.
“No wonder the Polls have him at less than an 8% chance of winning the Election,” Trump added. “Anyway, have a great life Thomas and (?). His wife will soon find out that she’s stuck with a LOSER!&#8221;
During Massie&#8217;s concession speech, he claimed he wasn&#8217;t running against Trump or even Gallrein. &#8220;We weren’t running against Ed Gallrein. We weren’t running against Donald Trump,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We were running for what we believe in.&#8221;
The ousted congressman also mocked Gallrein during his concession speech. &#8220;I would have come out sooner, but I had to call my opponent and concede, and it took a while to find Ed Gallrein in Tel Aviv,&#8221; he said.

Trump, Thomas Massie

EXCLUSIVE: Trump Breaks Silence After Midterm Night, Calls Massie A ‘Low Life’

EXCLUSIVE: Trump Reacts To Defeat Of ‘Low Life’ Thomas Massie

2026 Midterms

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Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) topped off his concession speech with a swipe at Jews in a comment about his Republican primary challenger Ed Gallrein.
Massie spoke to supporters on Tuesday evening after his campaign went down in flames, claiming that he was late to deliver his remarks because he&#8217;d first had to track down Gallrein in Tel Aviv to offer his concession personally.
&#8220;I would have come out sooner, but I had to call my opponent to concede and it took awhile to find Ed Gallrein in Tel Aviv,&#8221; Massie said, prompting laughter from his supporters as he suggested that his opponent was beholden to Israeli interests.
&#8220;I did give the call, though. I have called and conceded the race,&#8221; Massie continued, claiming, &#8220;We&#8217;ve been honorable the whole time, and we&#8217;re gonna stay that way.&#8221;
WATCH:
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Even in his concession speech, Thomas Massie had to take a shot at Jews" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Y36L9lgn_Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The Kentucky Congressman&#8217;s campaign leaned into antisemitic advertising as the heated contest drew to a close.
One ad, created by pro-Massie PAC Hold the Line, claimed that &#8220;the gay mafia&#8221; would &#8220;own&#8221; Gallrein if he won, and pointed to Gallrein&#8217;s billionaire Jewish donor Paul Singer as the prime example. The ad featured the LGBTQ+ flag overlaying the Star of David, called Singer a &#8220;pro-gay, pro-trans activist working with far-Left, hardcore Democrats,&#8221; and claimed that Singer would &#8220;bring his trans madness to Kentucky.&#8221;
In the final hours of the campaign, Massie&#8217;s team <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/massie-rolls-out-fake-trump-endorsement-with-hours-to-go-before-polls-close">fired off</a> a text blast that featured an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The endorsement was a real one, but it was from 2022 — and Massie&#8217;s campaign removed the date to make it appear as if it were current.
President Trump fired off a quick response via social media, demanding that Massie withdraw the &#8220;FAKE STATEMENT&#8221; immediately.
&#8220;Horrible Congressman Thomas Massie put out an old Endorsement, from many years ago, of him by me long before I found out that he was the Worst Congressman in the History of our Country,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/2056827052851105947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2056827052851105947%7Ctwgr%5E2b8df505d2491211326c6d5292d3f5ee21d905f3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Fmassie-rolls-out-fake-trump-endorsement-with-hours-to-go-before-polls-close">posted</a>. &#8220;I endorsed Ed Gallrein, a true American Patriot, which Massie knows full well, so the statement that he put out is fraudulent, just like HE is fraudulent. WITHDRAW YOUR FAKE STATEMENT, MASSIE, RIGHT NOW.&#8221;
CNN Republican commentator Scott Jennings laid into Massie over the &#8220;nasty, gutter politics&#8221; on display, saying, &#8220;There was an undercurrent of antisemitism in this race on the Massie side. There&#8217;s been an undercurrent of it in his career, unfortunately, and it really came out in an ugly way tonight, and I think it needs to be stated, acknowledged, and condemned.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 NEW: Scott Jennings blasts Thomas Massie on his way out the door: “Despicable, anti-Semitic, nasty, gutter politics… it needs to be condemned.”
“What a way to go out. He said, ‘I’d have called Gallrein but I had to find him in Tel Aviv.’.. it needs to be stated, acknowledged… <a href="https://t.co/2TlzBF8syJ">pic.twitter.com/2TlzBF8syJ</a>
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TVNewsNow/status/2056939356393263128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rep. Thomas Massie Holds Primary Election Night Event In Hebron, Kentucky

Massie Just Couldn’t Help Himself In Concession Speech

Ed Gallrein

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Voters in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District ousted embattled Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Tuesday in the most expensive House primary in American history, marking the latest incumbent to fall amid President Donald Trump’s campaign to purge Republicans he views as disloyal to his agenda.
With 95% of the vote reported, Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and farmer, leads with 55% of the vote. <a href="https://x.com/DecisionDeskHQ/status/2056883139234979997?s=20">Decision Desk HQ called the race at 7:41 p.m. ET.</a>  
It’s a stunning political collapse for the libertarian-minded fiscal hawk who rode the Tea Party wave into Congress in 2012 and remained politically untouchable ever since.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/live-updates-trump-machine-takes-on-thomas-massie-georgians-choose-their-nominees-for-senate-gov?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Daily+Wire&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=LIVE+UPDATES%3A+Trump+Machine+Takes+On+Thomas+Massie+While+Georgia+Braces+For+Primary+Showdowns" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LIVE UPDATES: Republican Primary Voters Go To The Polls In Kentucky, Georgia</a>
Massie’s defeat delivers another political win for Trump, who in recent weeks has exacted revenge against Indiana Republicans who bucked his redistricting effort and Louisiana GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy for voting to convict Trump on impeachment charges. 
Few Republicans, if any, have provoked more ire from the president than Massie.
In October 2025, Trump recruited and endorsed Gallrein, throwing the full weight of his MAGA political machine to remove Massie from the halls of Congress. In a Truth Social Post rallying his base, Trump called Massie, long a thorn in his side, a &#8220;bum&#8221; and the <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116589795851243755">“worst Republican Congressman in history.”</a>
The president’s frustration with Massie traces back to March 2020, when Trump called Massie a “third rate Grandstander” and urged the GOP to kick him out of the party after he tried to stall a $2.2 trillion COVID aid package. Two years later, Trump endorsed Massie in his primary, hailing him as a “Conservative Warrior” and a “first-rate Defender of the Constitution,” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-backs-navy-seal-in-bid-to-knock-off-gop-rep-thomas-massie">The Daily Wire previously reported</a>.
But during Trump’s second term, the Kentucky Republican has stepped up criticism of the administration over a range of foreign and domestic issues. He voted against Trump&#8217;s signature tax cut and spending bill and has accused the administration of <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5658597-doj-releases-epstein-documents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“flaunting the law,”</a> and said Republicans opposed to his discharge petition, forcing the release of Epstein files, were voting to <a href="https://x.com/CatchUpFeed/status/1990185676810137991?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“protect pedophiles.&#8221;</a>  
Massie has also supported resolutions to curb Trump’s authority to launch military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran and has criticized the U.S.-backed operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, who is sitting in a federal jail pending criminal charges. 
“Wake up MAGA. VENEZUELA is not about drugs; it’s about OIL and REGIME CHANGE. This is not what we voted for,” <a href="https://x.com/RepThomasMassie/status/2007855570447913358?s=20">Massie said in a social media post.</a> 
On the campaign trail, Massie defended his record and insisted on voting independently of the White House. 
“It&#8217;s a question of whether you can have even the slight bit of a dissenting vote on any day at all. Because I vote with the party 90% of the time,” Massie told a local news outlet. “It&#8217;s a referendum, I do believe, on whether the legislative branch works for the executive branch or if we are co-equal branches.”
The campaign drew unprecedented third-party spending, amassing more than $32.6M and becoming the most expensive House primary on record, <a href="https://x.com/AdImpact_Pol/status/2056399251890926063?s=20">according to AdImpact. </a>Pro-Gallrein spending accounted for $18.8M compared to $13.2M Pro-Massie fundraising. 
In addition to the <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?committee_id=C00908723">MAGA KY super PAC</a> founded by former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita, pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC and the Republican Jewish Coalition, have spent millions opposing Massie, <a href="https://x.com/DecisionDeskHQ/status/2056404117908570294?s=20">according to Decision Desk HQ.</a> 
Massie, on the other hand, mostly accepted out-of-state money from anti-war progressives, Muslim-American activists, and left-aligned PACs, including Integrity Political Action Committee (IPAC), which recently partnered with a chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to undermine ICE, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/massie-fight-political-life-leftists-islamist-donors?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Massie+Enters+Fight+For+Political+Life+Flanked+By+Islamists%2C+Left-Wing+Donors">The Daily Wire previously reported.</a>
Money aside, the race drew political heavy-hitters into Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, which stretches along the Ohio River and includes much of the suburban and exurban corridor between Cincinnati and Louisville.
Over the weekend, Trump threatened to support a primary challenge against Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) after she hit the campaign trail to support Massie. 
In Saturday night Truth Social posts, Trump railed against Republicans backing Massie for “parading around like fools,” calling Boebert “weak-minded.”
“Boebert is campaigning for the Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in the History of our Country, Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight!” <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116586609402311469">Trump said.</a>  “Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement and endorse a good and proper alternative,” he said.
“Yes, I saw the president’s post. No, I’m not mad or offended. I knew the risks when I agreed to stand by my friend Thomas Massie. I was, and will be, America First, America Always, and MAGA,” Boebert said in response.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday hit the stump for Gallrein.
“At some point, being against everything becomes an excuse for accomplishing nothing,” Hegseth said at a Kentucky campaign event. “President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point, especially from his own party. He needs people willing to help him win, to vote with him when it matters the most.” 
In response, Massie said, “Dogs don’t bark at parked cars.” 
“The fact you got cabinet secretaries that may be coming to my district to campaign against me, during a war, shows how serious this is to the global elites that I lose,” <a href="https://x.com/Holden_Culotta/status/2055282383406993911?s=20">he said.</a>

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Trump Machine Topples Thomas Massie

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