Beshear says he received calls suggesting Sen. Mitch McConnell had 'passed' before latest update

In a July 15 interview with Katie Couric on her YouTube channel, Beshear talked about McConnell's absence and his public call for an update from the senator on his health.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday he'd gotten two calls suggesting Sen. Mitch McConnell had died before the senator's office released a statement on his condition July 12.

In an interview with Katie Couric on her YouTube channel, Beshear talked about McConnell's absence and his public call for an update from the senator on his health.

"It had been a month before anything had been put out, not even an official statement from Senator McConnell. In fact, I'd gotten two calls from different agencies, not state agencies, suggesting he'd passed. So, this rampant speculation that was out there, it needed to end," the governor said. "People deserve to know what was going on. Now, we've gotten a little bit, we've gotten one official statement and one picture, and hopefully what that means is he's still with us, which is what we all want. But then there's this question of when can he get back to doing his job."

The governor did not say what agencies he'd received the calls from.

Beshear sent a letter to McConnell's office July 8 asking him to provide Kentuckians with an update on his health, saying growing public concern and continued speculation warrant more transparency.

"Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of Sen. McConnell," Beshear said in a written statement. "As Governor – and a fellow public official who understands the commitment we've made to the people we serve – I am requesting the Senator provide an update on his current health status."

McConnell, 84, was hospitalized June 14, according to a statement from his office that only said he was "receiving excellent care." A statement a week later said that he would not be voting that week. Then on Thursday, July 2, a new statement said that he "continues to improve" and "appreciates the outpouring of support he's receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital."

On July 7, 23 days after McConnell's mysterious hospitalization, a spokesperson offered no update to the senator's health but shared three statements from others on social media who said they'd spoken to him.

McConnell was reportedly found "unconscious" at his home in Washington the day of his hospitalization, according reporting from FOX News. The outlet reported audio from the 911 call on June 14 indicated the senator was "unconscious" when emergency crews were dispatched. The dispatcher also requested an Advanced Life Support (ALS) response.

The next day, a spokesperson for the senator said he was continuing his recovery in the hospital.

"As you can imagine, we have been receiving lots of messages from folks, and as the senator continues to recover, we will be sure to keep you updated," a spokesperson said July 11. "In the meantime, Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he's receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. The senator continues to improve and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session. Thanks for continuing to check in."

On July 12, a photo of the senator was released, as well as a new statement that said a fall led to McConnell's hospitalization and he was undergoing physical therapy.

"When you elected me to a seventh term and made me our Commonwealth's longest serving Senator, you did so trusting that I'd keep showing up to fight for you every day," McConnell said in a statement. "And over the past several weeks, Elaine and I have appreciated both your well wishes and your honest questions about what was keeping me away from the Senate."

McConnell said his doctors confirmed he did not break any bones, suffer a concussion, or have a heart attack or stroke. He was briefly unconscious and hospitalized. He also had a mild case of pneumonia while in the hospital.

He was moved from a hospital to a rehabilitation center, where he said he is regaining his strength.

"As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time," McConnell said in a statement. "And on the advice of my doctors, I won't be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet. But rest assured that, in the meantime, I'm not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you."

McConnell said he still has "unfinished business to complete" before his retirement in January 2027.

The office of his attending physician said he has been cleared to continue "fully participating in his intensive physical therapy program."

Beshear called that information a "step in the right direction," but said he believes Kentuckians still deserve more transparency about the senator's recovery. Outside of the public statements, Beshear's office said neither he nor his office had received any official communication about McConnell's health or recovery since his hospitalization.

"Nothing sent to our office, no letter, no email," the governor said July 14.

Beshear wished McConnell a "speedy recovery" but said Kentuckians deserve to hear "a little bit more" about how the senator is doing.