Kentucky's Governor has said he received phone calls implying that Senator Mitch McConnell had died while the senator was in hospital, before a "proof of life" photograph was later released to confirm he was still alive. The episode highlights how quickly unconfirmed rumours about a prominent, ageing political figure's health can spread, particularly during a hospital stay when official information is scarce.

The available article content does not provide further specifics, such as who made the calls, the nature of McConnell's hospitalisation, or when the photograph was issued to dispel the claims. The report centres on the Governor's account of the incident rather than detailed comment from McConnell's office or medical team.