Mitch McConnell was publicly humiliated on Saturday as he tried to make a speech, as he was drowned out by ruthless boos and shouts for him to retire.
The 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader had spoken at the Fancy Farm picnic, one of Kentucky’s top political events.
McConnell had attended the picnic amid recent questions about his health and political future after freezing in mid-sentence at a press conference last month.
On Saturday, that sentiment was continued by a large number of people in the audience who booed and taunted the Kentucky native.
In video footage of his speech, McConnell is completely unintelligible as shouts of “RETIRE” circle the room, which then turns into boos.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks at the annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, August 5
McConnell does his best to carry on through the relentless teasing and according to CNN later told the crowd: ‘This is my 28th Fancy Farm and I want to assure you it’s not the last.
“The people of this state have chosen me seven times to do this job, and I want you to know how grateful I am to them.”
On Truth Social, former President Trump also shared footage of his speech and said, “I ACCEPT!”
McConnell froze for twenty seconds late last month as he spoke during his executive briefing, unable to finish his sentence.
‘Are you OK?’ asked Sen. John Barrasso, a former orthopedic surgeon and the third-longest-serving Republican in the Senate, taking her arm. ‘Anything else you would like to say or should we just go back to your office?’
After a few moments, he guided McConnell away from the lectern towards his desk.
Another GOP senator, John Thune, continued the press conference, before McConnell came back and said, “I’m fine.”
When asked by a reporter if he felt he could fully do his job, McConnell replied “yes” and continued.
It raised new questions about his ability to do his job and the advanced age of so many of the country’s political leaders, including President Biden.
Aides later said McConnell felt “dizzy” before making his remarks.
Later, McConnell told reporters that the president had called to inquire about his well-being.
He said he told Biden he had been “sandbagged,” a reference to the president’s quip after he tripped over two sandbags during an Air Force Academy graduation in June.
Former President Trump said Sunday night that he believes McConnell should resign from his post
McConnell, left, is assisted by Sen. John Barrasso, second from right, and a Capitol police officer after the GOP leader’s freeze
Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell suddenly stopped speaking and had to step away from the podium during his press conference
In the weeks leading up to his freeze at the press conference, McConnell had also fallen several times.
McConnell had fallen from a plane at Washington’s Reagan Airport days earlier in a series of incidents raising concerns about his health.
McConnell has fallen two more times this year, according to multiple reports, one of which resulted in a concussion and led to speculation as to whether he was neurologically affected by the spills.
The first fall this year, according to a new CNN report, occurred in February while McConnell was in Helsinki with an American delegation. The Kentucky Republican tripped and fell while getting out of his car on a snowy day as he walked to meet the Finnish president.
A few days later, in March, McConnell fell again at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C., resulting in a concussion after hitting his head in the fall.
He also broke his ribs in the hotel and was away from Congress for nearly six weeks recovering.
“It’s good to be back,” he said after returning to work. “Suffice it to say, this wasn’t the first time the hard head has served me very well.”
