India, July 20 -- Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell's staff came under fire after two photos from the hospital were shared online. They came as a proof of life as speculation began to mount about the 84-year-old Republican due to his prolonged absence from Capitol Hill.

The first photo showed McConnell in bed next to wife Elaine Chao, holding the day's newspaper in hand. The other photo showed McConnell standing up. While Donald Trump loyalist and far-right activist Laura Loomer decried the first photo as being AI-generated, conspiracy theorists raised doubts about the second picture as well, many pointing to the fact that McConnell appeared to be wearing the same shirt in both photos.

These photos have further fueled speculations about ...