A Republican lawmaker called for security and ran away after a TMZ reporter pleading for information about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) condition.
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Charlie Cotton, TMZ DC co-managing editor, was walking with Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) on Capitol Hill when he pressed the GOP leader over McConnell’s health status, X video shows.
“Do you think Mitch McConnell needs to do more to prove his health?” Cotton asked.
McConnell, hospitalized in Washington on June 14, hasn’t been seen in public since. Calls demanding McConnell prove he remains fit to serve have been met with staged photos and written statements.
On Thursday, Ricketts refused to address the concerns — or make eye contact with the reporter airing them.
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“I think we should give Mitch the time he needs to be able to recover,” Ricketts said, “and come back to the Senate.”
The reporter pushed Ricketts on his response as he followed him around a metal detector neither man walked through.
“We can give him the time he needs,” replied Cotton, “while also he provides—”
That’s when Ricketts jerked back his thumb and looked to security.
“Stop him!” Ricketts called out.
Ricketts stormed off as Cotton tried to explain he was a reporter who had already been through security.
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Sen. Pete Ricketts dodged questions from TMZ DC’s @hicharliecotton about Mitch McConnell’s health, turning to security to try and shut down the conversation 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Gpr98qHlz4
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 30, 2026
