An 83-year-old Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell took a tumble on Thursday in the basement of a Capitol building while facing a question about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The viral footage shows the Republican walking unaided before suddenly collapsing to his side. He is later helped up by his security and a Capitol Police officer.
An activist with the Sunrise Movement asked McConnell whether he supports ICE “taking working people off the streets and kidnapping them” just moments before the senator fell. A spokesperson later reassured The Independent that McConnell is “all good.” He was en route to cast votes on short-term spending bills aimed at ending the government shutdown.
The fall was witnessed by online trolls who started comparing McConnell to 85-year-old former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who herself suffered a fall last year. Pelosi was airlifted to a German hospital after tripping on stairs during an official trip to Luxembourg, later undergoing a successful hip replacement.
Social media users pointed to the ages of both lawmakers and joked that “both require full-time walking assistance,” pointing out the fact that, despite being in their eighties, neither McConnell nor Pelosi has retired from politics.
The incident reignited discussions about the physical demands of public office, especially for leaders well into their 80s. Despite their ages and health scares, both continue to hold influential roles in American politics, with some even joking that Congress needs a hospice wing. Beyond this, both President Trump and former President Biden have also faced criticism over their health and questionable age to govern.
The viral footage shows the Republican walking unaided before suddenly collapsing to his side. He is later helped up by his security and a Capitol Police officer.
This is sad…
— CALI🇺🇸 (@CALI4AZ) October 16, 2025
Mitch McConnell trips and falls to his knees. It’s time for him to retire along with Nancy Pelosi…
pic.twitter.com/DWwlY1XZpu
An activist with the Sunrise Movement asked McConnell whether he supports ICE “taking working people off the streets and kidnapping them” just moments before the senator fell. A spokesperson later reassured The Independent that McConnell is “all good.” He was en route to cast votes on short-term spending bills aimed at ending the government shutdown.
The fall was witnessed by online trolls who started comparing McConnell to 85-year-old former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who herself suffered a fall last year. Pelosi was airlifted to a German hospital after tripping on stairs during an official trip to Luxembourg, later undergoing a successful hip replacement.
Both Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell require fulltime walking assistance, can barely shuffle forward, and yet they refuse to retire.
— Peachy Keenan (@KeenanPeachy) October 16, 2025
Power must be the most intoxicating drug on Earth. They are clinging bitterly to the end! pic.twitter.com/NMpcv9YIwv
Social media users pointed to the ages of both lawmakers and joked that “both require full-time walking assistance,” pointing out the fact that, despite being in their eighties, neither McConnell nor Pelosi has retired from politics.
The incident reignited discussions about the physical demands of public office, especially for leaders well into their 80s. Despite their ages and health scares, both continue to hold influential roles in American politics, with some even joking that Congress needs a hospice wing. Beyond this, both President Trump and former President Biden have also faced criticism over their health and questionable age to govern.
JUST IN: Nancy Pelosi fell down a set of stairs and broke her hip in Luxembourg, according to the New York Times.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 13, 2024
Your country is controlled by nursing home patients
The incident happened days after the elderly Mitch McConnell fell.
“Ms. Pelosi tripped going down marble stairs… pic.twitter.com/KGBFRt54y3
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