Senator John Kennedy clarified that he did not suffer a stroke or any sexually transmitted disease after a concerning on-air freeze during a Fox Business appearance on Tuesday.
He pushed back against critics who speculated about his health following the moment, which circulated widely on social media.
“I was on your show, really enjoying myself,” he explained. “Then suddenly, my earpiece went haywire.”
He added, “My ears are still ringing, honestly. I thought we were live, so I just stopped talking.”
During his earlier segment, Kennedy had addressed the Trump administration’s approach to sanctuary cities.
The Louisiana Senator is known for his witty remarks, and as he spoke, he remarked, “Jesus loves them, but everyone else thinks…” before trailing off slightly.
As his comments faltered, his co-host intervened, mentioning there was a “technical problem.” He noted that this was akin to an issue faced by Senator Rand Paul during a prior segment.
About 30 minutes later, Kennedy returned to the air, still facing some technical glitches.
Kudlow, the host, supported Kennedy’s claim about the technical hiccup, adding that many were jumping to conclusions regarding his health.
“I’m okay,” Kennedy asserted after the incident, dismissing the swirling rumors. “I’m back and full of energy.”
His office later shared a statement, attributing the on-air freeze to a malfunction in his earpiece, acknowledging it produced a lot of static. Before this clarification, many viewers had begun drawing comparisons to Senator Mitch McConnell’s public freeze-ups, which have prompted concerns about health.
McConnell’s staff had previously related his situation to health complications from a concussion suffered earlier this year. As for Kennedy, the overall health of politicians, particularly older ones, has become a growing concern, especially in light of recent passings among House Democrats.
Moreover, there are ongoing discussions regarding former President Joe Biden, as revelations about his condition at 82 continue to surface.
