How Mitch McConnell’s New Appearance Compares to Last Time He Was Seen - Newsweek

Senator Mitch McConnell returned to Congress on Monday, appearing in public for the first time since he was hospitalized after a fall three months ago.

As footage appeared of the moment the 84-year-old was helped out of his Washington home where he gave a thumbs up to cameras, attention quickly turned to the differences in his appearance since he was last seen in public.

McConnell returned to the Senate on September 14 after nearly three months away following his June hospitalization. In a statement, the Kentucky Republican said he was continuing physical therapy and was not yet "100 percent," but planned to return for important votes.

McConnell was last seen publicly before his hospitalization in June. On June 4 the senator was photographed holding onto two aides as he attended votes on a reconciliation package in the Senate chamber. He was last present for a vote on June 11.

Then on June 14, the Kentucky Republican suffered a fall that led to his hospitalization and triggered a months-long absence from the Senate.

During that period, McConnell's office released only limited updates on his recovery. A photograph shared from a rehabilitation facility showed the senator standing and receiving physical therapy, but he was otherwise largely absent from public view.

McConnell re-emerged on September 14 in footage showing him being assisted from his Washington home and transported in a wheelchair.

The most visible difference between McConnell's latest appearance and images from before his hospitalization is his use of a wheelchair. In the new footage, he is seen using a wheelchair as he leaves his residence. He appeared to smile as he was helped into a car outside his home, giving a thumbs up to the camera.

In video footage shared by TMZ of the moment the senator left his home, McConnell was helped out of his front door and into a car.

On social media, the video was quickly clipped to focus on a shot of the senator inside his car, appearing to stare straight forwards. The moment even prompted some social media users to speculate that McConnell "doesn’t even know where he is or what day it is."

But full footage gave better context, and even showed the 84-year-old giving a wave, smile and thumbs up to the waiting press pack and cameras before the door was closed behind him.

Mitch McConnell was hospitalized on June 14 after suffering a fall. He remained away from the Senate for months afterward, marking one of the longest absences of his career. While away McConnell continued to receive his annual Senate salary of $174,000, meaning he has earned nearly $45,000 during his absence.

During his absence, McConnell underwent rehabilitation focused on regaining strength and mobility. His office said he was participating in an intensive rehabilitation program that included multiple daily physical therapy sessions aimed at rebuilding strength and reducing the risk of future falls.

In August, McConnell was discharged from his rehabilitation facility but said he would continue recovering at home. He stated that, on the advice of his doctors, he would maintain an intensive physical therapy regimen while remaining engaged with Senate business remotely.

McConnell returned to Senate duties after nearly three months away. As he returned, his office released a statement.

"My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. I’m still not quite back to 100 percent, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our conference needs me," McConnell's office shared in a statement.

"Elaine and I are very grateful for all the continued well wishes from our fellow Kentuckians, and I’m glad to get back to more of business as usual on their behalf this month," the statement concluded.

McConnell's office has previously said he was undergoing intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy following injuries sustained in his June 14 fall, and he remained away from the Senate for nearly three months while recovering.

The latest footage shows him using a wheelchair, but neither McConnell's office nor his physicians have publicly stated why he was using one at that specific moment.

This is not the first time the senator has been seen using a wheelchair. In February this year he was pictured using a wheelchair, something that was linked by his team to the fact he suffered polio as a child.

“Senator McConnell is fine. The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work," a McConnell spokesman said in a statement at the time, adding that the use of the chair then was "purely a precautionary measure."

Update 09/15/26 07:20 a.m. ET: This story was updated to clarify when Sen. McConnell was last seen.

Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.