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McConnell’s Office Says a Fall and Mild Pneumonia Caused His Weekslong Hospital Stay

Sen. McConnell was “briefly unconscious” after his June 14 fall but is out of the hospital and in a rehab center, his office disclosed.

Mitch McConnell sitting in a hospital chair holding a newspaper next to his wife Elaine Chao

Sen. Mitch McConnell’s statement was paired with a photo of him and his wife, Elaine Chao. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Office

By Jenna Monnin

July 12, 2026 07:02 p.m.

A fall and “a mild case of pneumonia” caused Sen. Mitch McConnell’s weekslong absence from the Capitol, according to a statement released Sunday from the Kentucky Republican’s office.

“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion,” the statement quoted McConnell as saying. “I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.”

The statement did not specify exactly how long the 84-year-old senator was unconscious after the fall on June 14.