Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy, 73, appeared to freeze for seven seconds during a live interview on Fox Business's 'Kudlow' programme on Tuesday evening. The senator began stuttering before stopping mid-sentence, staring blankly to the side with his mouth open.
Host Larry Kudlow apologised for what he described as 'technical problems', noting that the show had experienced similar issues earlier with Senator Rand Paul. Social media users drew comparisons to Senator Mitch McConnell's freezing spells in 2023 and renewed calls for term limits.
In a statement to The Independent, Kennedy explained that a malfunction in his earpiece caused a loud screeching noise, which he compared to 'a 747 taking off'. He said he stopped talking until the interference cleared and thought they were off-air. 'The same thing happened with Rand Paul,' he added.
The incident has sparked debate about age and fitness for office, echoing concerns raised during the 2024 presidential race. McConnell announced in February that he would not seek re-election, while similar issues previously surrounded the late Senator Dianne Feinstein.
