Just hours after Senator Mitch McConnell released a photo of himself smiling in a hospital bed, Jimmy Kimmel shared his own satirical proof of life.
“For those who’ve been asking, I’m feeling great,” Kimmel captioned an edited version of McConnell’s original snap, showing the late-night TV host’s head replacing that of the 84-year-old politician.
McConnell’s original image, shared via Facebook on Sunday, July 12, came almost one month after the senator was mysteriously hospitalized, sparking widespread speculation over his health.
The photo shared by Kimmel, 58, similarly came almost one month after he stepped away as host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! amid a voluntary two-month summer hiatus. The extended vacation had raised the eyebrows of some social media users given it was announced less than one year after his show was suspended for five days. (ABC’s suspension was the result of comments made by Kimmel about the murder of ring-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.)
Fans of Kimmel’s were quick to show their approval of the comedic post, amid the update on the star’s whereabouts, with one fan writing in the comments section, “Well playyyyyyyed, “ and several posting strings of crying-laughter emojis.
As for an update on McConnell, the senator shared a statement on his health alongside Sunday’s original photo. “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages,” the statement, shared via his office, read. “But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.”
He continued, “In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.”
McConnell was admitted into the hospital after he was found unconscious in his home, sparking online conspiracy theories and calls of increased transparency after no formal explanation over his health was offered by his team at the time.
Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist, was particularly vocal about her opinion on McConnell’s health, claiming that he may be brain dead after receiving intel from a White House source.
McConnell’s office debunked her theory in a statement to Us Weekly on July 7. “Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital,” the statement read. “The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.”
McConnell’s Sunday health update arrived in the wake of fellow Senator Lindsey Graham’s death at age 71 on Saturday, July 11. A preliminary cause of death found that he had died of “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.”
Per the Cleveland Clinic, aortic dissection is “a tear in the inner layer of a weak area of your aorta” which is considered life-threaning given the artery’s role in delivering oxygen-rich blood to the body.
