Topline
New video footage obtained by CNN appears to show Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., being loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher the morning of June 14—adding to the mystery surrounding McConnell’s health as Republicans who claim they spoke to him this week are widely mocked.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is seen during a Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Department of Defense budget hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC on May 19, 2026. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Anadolu via Getty Images
Key Facts
The footage shows a person being wheeled toward the ambulance and lifted into the back of the vehicle on a stretcher as emergency vehicles block the Washington, D.C., street where McConnell lives.
The person’s face is not visible in the footage, which was taken at the time of a 911 call to McConnell’s home, CNN reported, citing a neighbor who took the video, showing a person’s bare feet protruding from an orange blanket as they lie on the stretcher.
Another eyewitness told the neighbor they saw McConnell on the stretcher and he was not wearing an oxygen mask, according to CNN.
The video comes as multiple Republicans have said this week they talked to McConnell, including Sen. John Barasso, R-Wyo., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., claims that have been widely mocked on social media amid calls for transparency on McConnell’s health.
“This really shouldn’t be hard. You should let the governor or a governor’s representative go visit him to see if he’s still in a position to represent the people of the state of Kentucky, or whether they need to set a special election,” left-leaning “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough said Friday.
McConnell’s office has not provided any details on why he was hospitalized or his current condition other than issuing the same statement to multiple outlets as recently as Tuesday saying his health “continues to improve” and he is “working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.”
What To Watch For
The Senate is set to return from recess on Monday.
What We Don’t Know
The timeline for replacing McConnell, if he resigns or is unable to continue serving. Kentucky law requires the governor to call a special election to replace a Senate vacancy, but it’s unclear how the process would work so close to the general election in November to replace McConnell, who is retiring at the end of the year. The secrecy surrounding McConnell’s state has prompted speculation Republicans are trying to keep him in office to avoid triggering a special election—in which an independent candidate could run, potentially siphoning votes from Republican Andy Barr, who is favored to win the general election. The governor is required to notify local officials 56 days before the special election must occur, and candidates must be nominated at least 49 days prior to the election. Louisville Metro Council member and former state Rep. Kevin Brachter, who sponsored the 2024 law setting the process to fill a vacancy, told local news channel WLKY if McConnell’s seat becomes vacant within 56 days of the Nov. 3 general election, after Sept. 8, then the seat would remain vacant until the winner of the general election takes office in January. Other news outlets and politicos have speculated the deadline for calling a special election would be Aug. 3, three months before the general.
further reading
Mitch McConnell’s Health Fuels Longshot Theory He Could Be Replaced By Thomas Massie (Forbes)
Mitch McConnell Urged To Share Health Update By Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (Forbes)