Mitch McConnell was found unconscious at his Washington, D.C., home before being rushed to a hospital last month, according to a newly surfaced emergency dispatch recording.
Punchbowl News reported that the former Senate majority leader, who is set to retire when his term ends in January, lost consciousness at 8:36 a.m. on June 14. An Advanced Life Support ambulance was dispatched to his home after the emergency call. Journalist Desiree Townsend posted what she said was audio from the dispatch call on X on Tuesday.
The recording has not been independently verified, and McConnell’s office has not commented on it.
When the Kentucky Republican was hospitalized last month, a spokesperson said only that the 82-year-old was “receiving excellent care” without providing additional details. On June 22, his office said McConnell was “working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery.”
His office has not disclosed the nature of his condition, offered a prognosis, or confirmed whether he remains hospitalized.
This emergency dispatch recording was obtained from Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS dispatch and captures the call on June 14, 2026 at 8:36 a.m. requesting an Advanced Life Support (ALS) response after Senator Mitch McConnel was reported unconscious. According to the dispatch,… pic.twitter.com/ABv97WXJhz
— Desirée Townsend (@Cheering4Change) June 30, 2026
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on June 15 that McConnell “is clearly dialed in to what’s going on. He’s following along with stuff we are doing this week up here. Very much so.”
The latest hospitalization marks McConnell’s second this year. He spent eight days in the hospital in February with flu-like symptoms.
The longtime senator has faced a string of health issues over the past several years.
In March 2023, McConnell fell during a dinner event at Washington’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, suffering a concussion and a fractured rib. Later that year, he fell again and twice froze mid-sentence during public appearances for roughly 20 to 30 seconds.
The attending physician at the Capitol later said McConnell had not suffered a seizure, stroke or movement disorder, suggesting dehydration or lingering effects from his concussion were the likely cause.
McConnell fell again during a Senate Republican lunch in December 2024, spraining his wrist and cutting his face. In October 2025, he also tripped and fell inside a Senate office building while walking with assistance from an aide as reporters questioned him.
A staff member said again on Tuesday that McConnell was recovering and working with staff.
McConnell has remained determined to serve out the remainder of his Senate term despite a series of recent health setbacks, refusing to step aside before his retirement in January. His decision has drawn criticism from some Republican colleagues and critics of gerontocracy, who argue he should leave office before the end of his term.
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