Grinning Mitch McConnell, 84, poses in new ‘proof of life’ photo with wife Elaine… but still not a single word in 44 days

Senator Mitch McConnell, 84, released a new photo of himself and his wife Elaine Chao in an email late Monday morning.

But he has not spoken publicly since his hospitalization 44 days ago. 

In the email, the Senator expressed regret that he could not attend a picnic in Western Kentucky this week.

‘Senator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June,’ an attached comment from his doctor said.

‘Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation.’

Though McConnell has not spoken publicly, several prominent figures have said they talked with the Kentucky Senator over the phone.

Spokespeople for Senators John Thune and John Barrasso confirmed that the two top Republicans each had a substantial conversation with McConnell, while CNN commentator Scott Jennings, an old associate of McConnell’s, said much the same in an X post.

Over the weekend, Senator Shelley Moore Capito told independent journalist Nicholas Ballasy that she had talked to someone who had visited McConnell and described him as ‘clear-minded.’ 

Capito, a West Virginia Republican, said she would likely not visit McConnell herself until he asked for visitors. 

The photo released on Monday, which is dated Sunday, July 26, resembles a photo released two weeks prior amid widespread speculation about McConnell’s health. 

Ron Johnson, a Republican Senator from Wisconsin, stoked conspiracies about McConnell when he told America’s Voice a ‘source’ told him the first proof-of-life photo was ‘older.’ 

Johnson later ate his words and publicly backed off his original claim.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has publicly pushed for information on the health of his state’s senior Senator.