Senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation centre and will continue recovering at home with an intensive physical therapy plan. The 84-year-old was hospitalised in mid-June after a fall and a mild case of pneumonia and moved to rehab last month. He has said he will continue to work with staff while details about his condition remain limited. His office released a photo with his wife on 27 July and has denied that the image was AI-generated.
Mitch McConnell Discharged From Rehab; Will Continue Intensive Physical Therapy at Home
[Getty Images]
Senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation centre and will continue his recovery at home, his office said on Thursday. The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican was hospitalised in mid-June after a fall and what was described as a "mild case of pneumonia." He was transferred to a rehab facility last month and said at the time he was not "medically cleared" to return to Senate duties.
Recovery Plan and Work Status
McConnell's statement said he will "maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy" at home and "continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business." The office has otherwise provided only limited medical detail about his condition.
Timeline and Public Communications
On 12 July McConnell — the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history — said he had been "briefly unconscious" after a fall. After admission to hospital, he said he "submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident." On 27 July his office released a photo showing him seated and smiling beside his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
"Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I've received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff," McConnell said.
Health Background and Next Steps
A polio survivor, McConnell has faced several health challenges in recent years, including a 2024 trip-and-fall injury and an earlier hospitalisation with the flu. He has previously said he will retire in January at the end of his current Senate term. Observers have noted that his extended absence has prompted questions about his health and his role in the chamber, where he has been a central power broker for decades.
Photo Authenticity: McConnell's team said there is no evidence the rehab photo released on 27 July was generated by artificial intelligence.
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