MEAWW.COM / NEWS / POLITICS

Should Mitch McConnell retire? Senate minority leader heckled by crowd asking him to step down after freezing episode

'This is my 28th Fancy Farm and I want to assure you it’s not my last,' said Mitch McConnell

GRAVES COUNTY, KENTUCKY, Republican leader Mitch McConnell faced a hostile reception on Saturday when he tried to give a speech at a political event Fancy Farm picnic. He received loud boos and chants from the audience, asking him to ‘retire’.

Last month, McConnell's health became a topic of discussion after he froze for 20 seconds during a news conference, prompting concerns about both his physical and mental health. Earlier this year, he also experienced multiple falls, one of which left him with broken ribs and a concussion as per CNN.

Should Mitch McConnell retire?

In a widely watched video on Twitter from Collin Rugg, from the event in Kentucky, McConnell's voice seems to completely drown amid loud chats from the audience shouting 'retire.' However, McConnell continues with his speech as shouting descends into boos, Daily Mail also reported. 

"Republican Senator Mitch McConnell gets humiliated during a speech as Kentuckians completely drown him out, telling him to ‘retire’," Rugg wrote on X. He continued, "Mitch McConnell is the definition of ‘The Swamp.’ McConnell is 81 years old, has spent nearly 4 decades as a Senator, and has a net worth of $35M. He has nothing in common with the average American and is still a Senator, not because he is a ‘public servant’ but because he is addicted to power. Retire, Mitch."

'This is my 28th Fancy Farm and I want to assure you it’s not my last'

Despite what some referred to as getting 'humiliated', McConnell insisted that he was not going to quit anytime soon. He then reportedly told the crowd, "This is my 28th Fancy Farm and I want to assure you it’s not my 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."

His speech was also mocked by former President Trump, who shared a video of the booing on his social media platform Truth Social and wrote, ‘I AGREE!’ McConnell has been a loyal ally of Trump in the past, but their relationship soured after the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot. McConnell blamed Trump for inciting the violence and said he was ‘practically and morally responsible’ for it.

'Are you OK?'

McConnell's freezing episode last month forced another GOP leader, Senator John Thune to continue the Press conference before McConnell returned saying, "I am fine." McConnell was guided away from the podium by senior senator John Barrasso before asking him, "Are you OK? Anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?" 

He later revealed that President Biden had called him to check on his health. He said he told Biden he had been ‘sandbagged,’ referring to Biden’s own stumble over two sandbags at an Air Force Academy graduation in June.

McConnell's first known fall happened in Finland

Reportedly, McConnell injured himself after a fall that he had in February in Finland when he and a US delegation met the Finnish president in Helsinki. He tripped and fell as he stepped out of his car on a snowy day to meet President Sauli Niinisto.

Considering the icy conditions, GOP Senator Ted Budd told CNN, "It could happen to any of us.” Budd, however, says  McConnell has all of them concerned as he appeared normal after Finland's fall. 

'It's good to be back'

Days later, he fell in the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, slamming his head and breaking his ribs. He missed nearly six weeks of work before he was able to return to the Senate. And earlier last month at Reagan National Airport in Washington, McConnell stumbled and fell as he was stepping off the plane, a source with knowledge of the situation claimed. Later on the same day, he went back to the Capitol. Earlier on Wednesday, NBC reported on the collapse at the airport. "It's good to be back,' he said after returning to work. 'Suffice to say, this wasn't the first time being hard-headed has served me very well."

McConnell has been the leader of the Senate Republicans since 2007. He is up for re-election in 2026, but some of his constituents and opponents seem to think he should step down sooner rather than later.