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dflprincess

(29,485 posts)
Sat Jul 4, 2026, 10:28 PM Jul 4

Another twist in the McConnell story

I just stumbled on this today & can't find that it's been mentioned on DU yet. I also can't find that any MSM outlets have mentioned it

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mitch-mcconnells-wifes-foreign-travel-after-cpr-drama-revealed/


Sen. Mitch McConnell’s wife reportedly traveled to China just three days after he received CPR following an apparent heart attack.

Elaine Chao, 73, who has been married to the 84-year-old Republican lawmaker since 1993 and formerly served as transportation secretary in the first Trump administration, traveled to Beijing and met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng just days after McConnell’s hospitalization.

Photos circulating in Chinese media show Chao sitting across from Zheng on June 17, reportedly discussing efforts to strengthen China–U.S. relations.

The timing of the visit adds further questions to a growing list McConnell’s aides have declined to answer since an EMS call made public this week revealed he had been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack on June 14, with an emergency dispatch sent to his Washington, D.C., residence.


I can't imagine why anyone would leave the country with their spouse apparently this ill. Curiouser and curiouser.
32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Another twist in the McConnell story (Original Post) dflprincess Jul 4 OP
Trying to buy him a new heart? -misanthroptimist Jul 4 #1
That was my assumption. I wouldn't have Ilsa Jul 5 #17
I agree. -misanthroptimist Jul 5 #19
At his age seems doubtful anyone LisaL Jul 5 #25
Normally, but cash sometimes overrules good sense. paleotn Jul 5 #28
Handler/beard needs new instructions for new circumstances. RockRaven Jul 4 #2
Her job is done shelshaw Jul 4 #3
Yeah, she went to collect. hamsterjill Jul 4 #4
Axe You Puncture? usonian Jul 4 #5
Whoever writes the story of that relationship Haggard Celine Jul 4 #6
Did she come back? n/t BlueSpot Jul 4 #7
Why it's so hot: Dulcinea Jul 4 #8
As if she cares for the creep dave99 Jul 4 #9
The LAST thing I would think of doing if my husband had a heart attack calimary Jul 5 #10
Yeah, not believing tabloid headline MerryBlooms Jul 5 #11
If this is true, then she is the handler some of us thought she was. harumph Jul 5 #12
alt explanation - organs are for sale in china rampartd Jul 5 #16
If he were 64 or even 74 (stretching it) that might be a possibility. harumph Jul 5 #20
It's China. That green shit is probably for sale too. Blumancru Jul 5 #21
hell, this freak might just want some chinese folk testosterone rampartd Jul 5 #22
His D00ver66 Jul 5 #13
She is probably afraid of being arrested once he is dead. xuplate Jul 5 #14
". . . after he received CPR following an apparent heart attack." AverageOldGuy Jul 5 #15
I'm very sorry to hear about your cousin and sending him healing vibes. MLAA Jul 5 #18
Exactly. LisaL Jul 5 #26
Fabrications to capture eye balls probably. paleotn Jul 5 #29
This message was self-deleted by its author dalton99a Jul 5 #23
Her father's business interests far outweigh Mitch's.... PCIntern Jul 5 #24
She had to go answer for the missed hit on Mitch. flvegan Jul 5 #27
This message was self-deleted by its author paleotn Jul 5 #30
Suggested Reason for Elaine Chao Leaving citizen blues Jul 5 #31
She took of so nobody is here to pull the plug Melon Monday #32

RockRaven

(20,192 posts)
2. Handler/beard needs new instructions for new circumstances.
Sat Jul 4, 2026, 10:32 PM
Jul 4

Probably hoping like crazy the assignment is over.

Haggard Celine

(18,079 posts)
6. Whoever writes the story of that relationship
Sat Jul 4, 2026, 11:06 PM
Jul 4

stands to make a mint. And there is room for several versions of it.

calimary

(91,731 posts)
10. The LAST thing I would think of doing if my husband had a heart attack
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:14 AM
Jul 5

would be to head off on some big foreign junket.

Unless she has some sort of “inside insight” that he’s about to move THROUGH Death’s Door. But, shit, come on! Not even then.

If she’s important enough to go on an overseas junket, she’s important enough to ask for a postponement. Or could they come see her, so she can stay close to her ailing husband?

Seriously. And gestures count. Gestures have their own language, when it comes to making a difference.

harumph

(3,635 posts)
12. If this is true, then she is the handler some of us thought she was.
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:21 AM
Jul 5

What other explanation makes sense? Seriously.
Pathetic.

harumph

(3,635 posts)
20. If he were 64 or even 74 (stretching it) that might be a possibility.
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:56 AM
Jul 5

But it's not just an organ or two that's failing. You'd need that green goo from "Reanimator" at this point.

rampartd

(5,915 posts)
22. hell, this freak might just want some chinese folk testosterone
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 05:20 AM
Jul 5

rhino horn or pangolin ?????

AverageOldGuy

(4,437 posts)
15. ". . . after he received CPR following an apparent heart attack."
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:39 AM
Jul 5

CPR is not performed because of a heart attack. CPR is started only when no heartbeat is detected -- that is, cardiac arrest. If McConnell went into cardiac arrest, first people on the scene would start CPR. Manual CPR would then be replaced by mechanical CPR using a Lucas device. If an AED is available, it should have been used in conjunction with manual CPR, following the instructions from the AED.

I know this is speculative, but -- if McConnell did undergo CPR, he likely suffered cardiac arrest -- his heart stopped. Outside the hospital, erven with manual and/or automated CPR and an AED, only about 10% of cardiac arrest cases survive and they often suffer permanent disabilities. One of my cousins was lab director at a major southeastern medical system, also volunteered coaching a girls' soccer team. They had a soccer tourney one Saturday; EMS was present. At the end of the day, as he and girls were headed to the parking lot, he collapsed. EMS was on him within two minutes, cardiac arrest, hit him with the AED, restarted his heart. He was out for 4-5 minutes. He recovered but is like a stroke victim --walks only with assistance; feeds himself with a little help; slowly processes conversation, speech is very slurred.

It may be -- and a stress MY BE -- that McConnell did suffer cardiac arrest and was revived. If so, he likely will be in the same or worse condition as my cousin.

Response to dflprincess (Original post)

PCIntern

(28,895 posts)
24. Her father's business interests far outweigh Mitch's....
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 08:44 AM
Jul 5

I don’t know what to call them….needs?

When I was young, and the phrase had a different meaning than exists today, we had a saying: Some marriages are made in heaven, others are Made in Japan.

And yes, I know she’s not Japanese…🙄

flvegan

(66,771 posts)
27. She had to go answer for the missed hit on Mitch.
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 08:49 AM
Jul 5

They don't take kindly to failure and the GOP and its handlers can't afford the possibility of the 84 year old suddenly discovering that he has a shred of humanity in him (wanting to get into Heaven, in his case) and living long enough to do something with it.

Response to dflprincess (Original post)

citizen blues

(609 posts)
31. Suggested Reason for Elaine Chao Leaving
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 05:17 PM
Jul 5

This seemed really weird to me too. This may sound cynical, paranoid, and I'm probably waaaay off base, but the only reason I can think of for her to leave is if she's actually been working for China all along.

With the timing of the Senator's health crisis and the immediate talks with Zheng, it almost feels more like a recall than a visit. Was she initially a honeypot to get close to the Senator? Then he became Senate leader, and she was brought into the cabinet! Fucking gold mine of information and greater access to it than China have ever dreamed of!

It just makes me wonder if her meetings with Zheng are less about US-China trade and more about her being debriefed. She left June 17th. Has anyone heard about her returning?

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