Sign In  |  Register  |  About Livermore  |  Contact Us

Livermore, CA
September 01, 2020 1:25pm
7-Day Forecast | Traffic
  • Search Hotels in Livermore

  • CHECK-IN:
  • CHECK-OUT:
  • ROOMS:

Musk responds to McConnell freezing at press conference, says 'constitutional amendment' is needed

Elon Musk, billionaire and chief executive officer of Tesla, said a "constitutional amendment" is needed after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's press conference incident.

Elon Musk said the incident Wednesday when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., appeared to freeze up during a news conference with other Republican leaders should warrant a "need" for a constitutional amendment.

Musk, who owns Twitter and other companies, tweeted early Thursday morning, "We need a constitutional amendment. This is insane."

The comment came in response to another user who provided a video of the incident showing McConnell addressing a group of reporters before abruptly stopping, staring blankly into the group, and standing idle for a brief moment. A Republican colleague broke McConnell’s apparent trance and helped escort him away from the podium.

Musk’s tweet did not provide specifics on what the potential amendment would say or do. Several people who responded suggested there should be age limits for members of Congress.

MUSK ANNOUNCES TWITTER CHANGE ALL USERS CAN GET BEHIND: 'BETTER IN EVERY WAY'

The bizarre moment, which made mainstream media headlines and swiftly became the subject of social media discussions, followed the Republican leaders’ weekly party luncheon Wednesday afternoon.

"Good afternoon, everyone," McConnell opened his remarks. "We're on a path to finishing the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) this week, there's been good bipartisan cooperation and a string of…"

ELON MUSK'S TWITTER OFFICIALLY REBRANDS, CHANGES ICONIC BLUE BIRD LOGO TO X

The Senate Republican leader then trailed off and stood for nearly a minute.

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., stepped up to the podium asking, "You OK, Mitch?"

"Is there anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?" the Republican added.

McConnell was then escorted away but returned moments later to finish the press conference and to answer reporters’ questions.

"I'm fine," McConnell said when he returned.

Republican Whip Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and others addressed the press in his absence. Thune, 62, is the second-highest-ranking Republican in the chamber.

An aide from McConnell’s office told Fox News that the senator "felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment. He came back to handle Q and A, which as everyone observed was sharp."

McConnell, 81, suffered a concussion earlier this year when he fell in a Washington hotel. He also fractured rib during the same incident.

Several people who commented on Musk’s tweet discussed the age and health of lawmakers and others who lead the country.

President Biden, who turns 81 later this year, has exhibited similar speaking issues. Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history and is running for re-election in 2024, so he could break his own record.

His age and health have also prompted criticism.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who turned 83 this year, stepped away from her party’s leadership when Republicans won the House majority earlier this year.

Fox News’ Jamie Joseph and Kelly Phares contributed to this report.

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
 
 
Copyright © 2010-2020 Livermore.com & California Media Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.