Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin raised questions Monday about the timing of a hospital photo shared by Sen. Mitch McConnell before later clarifying his comments and emphasizing that he hopes the Kentucky Republican makes a full recovery.
During an appearance on Real America’s Voice’s “Bolling!,” host Eric Bolling asked Johnson about the image McConnell recently posted from his hospital room. Johnson responded by saying he had heard from other sources that the photograph may not have been recent.
“I’ve just heard from some other sources that was an older photo. So I really don’t know,” Johnson said.
Johnson also acknowledged that he has not personally spoken with McConnell during his hospitalization. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the photo, the Wisconsin senator expressed hope that McConnell’s health continues to improve and that he is able to return to the Senate.
Johnson said he hopes McConnell can recover and “come back and vote” in support of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Later Monday, Johnson appeared to walk back the speculation surrounding his earlier comments. Posting on the social media platform X, he urged people not to take isolated clips out of context.
“Beware of clickbait — watch the full clip,” Johnson wrote. “Most importantly, I hope @SenMcConnell makes a full recovery and returns to the Senate.”
Johnson’s remarks came one day after McConnell publicly addressed his medical condition for the first time following weeks of silence after his June 14 hospitalization.
The 84-year-old Kentucky senator, who is retiring, said he was taken to the hospital after suffering a fall that left him briefly unconscious.
“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion,” McConnell wrote on Facebook. “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.”
McConnell also revealed that he developed a mild case of pneumonia while receiving treatment.
“While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia,” he wrote.
Along with the update, McConnell shared a photograph showing himself sitting in a hospital bed beside his wife, former Labor and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. In the image, McConnell is holding a copy of the Sunday front page of The Washington Post’s sports section.
McConnell’s health update followed public questions about his condition from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. It also came less than 24 hours after the death of Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina at the age of 71. The chief medical examiner of Washington, D.C., has preliminarily ruled Graham’s cause of death to be an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Although McConnell said he is not yet ready to return to the Senate floor, he indicated that he remains engaged in his work.
On the advice of his doctors, McConnell said he “won’t be able to return to the Senate floor quite yet.” However, he added that he is continuing to work closely with his legislative and constituent services staff on matters affecting the people of Kentucky.
“I’ll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible,” McConnell wrote. “And I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my recovery. Until then, I’m so grateful for your prayers and well wishes.”
