Elaine Chao’s outfit in Mitch McConnell’s latest “proof-of-life” photo has raised fresh questions over the timeline offered by the senator’s office.
Since McConnell, 84, vanished from the public eye more than six weeks ago, the Kentucky senator’s office has released two photos of him with Chao, 78.
The first photo was released by his office on July 12. The second appeared in a July 27 press release, with his office saying the photo had been taken a day earlier, on July 26. Both appear to have been taken in the same room.
But some observers noticed that the top Chao was wearing in the photo ostensibly taken on July 26 was the same one she’d been spotted in more than ten days earlier.
On July 15, between the release of the two proof-of-life photos, Chao was photographed leaving the Washington, D.C., rehabilitation center where McConnell is recovering.
She appeared to be wearing the same white button-down dotted with peach-colored seashells and the same eggshell-white pants on July 15 as she was shown wearing in the photo dated July 26 by McConnell’s office. The detail has triggered questions about whether or not the second “proof of life” photo was really taken when the senator’s office says it was, and if so, why a billionaire like Chao would be recycling the same clothing.
A reverse image search of the shirt identified it as an offering of the mid-tier American retail brand Chico’s.
Her hair also appears to be the same shade and style in each image, which were supposedly taken eleven days apart.
Chao, who led the Department of Transportation during President Trump’s first term, had gotten a fresh new hairstyle when she was photographed Wednesday as she accepted a bizarre award at a lunch hosted by the Aero Club of D.C.
She appeared with fuller-looking hair that was noticeably lighter and had a more reddish tint than in the photo of her and McConnell supposedly taken just days earlier.
McConnell’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the photos’ timeline and Chao’s outfit. The Daily Beast has also reached out to Chao through an email on her website.
A family friend of Chao was bewildered by her outfit of choice in the second proof-of-life photo—which appears identical to the one she wore outside the rehab facility—saying she was wearing a brand she would never typically wear.
“I’ve known members of the Chao family—specifically, Elaine’s apolitical sisters (Grace and the late Angela)—since our college years,” Jeff Yang, an author and podcaster, wrote on Bluesky on Wednesday.
“I can’t imagine Elaine, one of the most put-together people in existence, releasing a pic wearing a thin shirt over a visible black bra, UNTUCKED. Just implausible.”
He later added, “ELAINE IS DEPICTED WEARING A $12 CHICO’S SHIRT. HOLY CRAP SHE WOULD RATHER DIE.”
Chao made an eyebrow-raising trip to China just three days after McConnell was rushed to the hospital on June 14. She met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on June 17. Amid questions over the timing of the trip, her spokesperson said McConnell’s health “did not warrant an immediate return to the U.S.”
Aside from the pair of proof-of-life photos released this month, McConnell has not addressed his constituents or released a video to prove he is able to serve in the Senate.
The senator’s staff has also fallen all but mute. His team, led by Terry Carmack, who is on track to earn more than $226,000 this year, has repeatedly issued the same statement, saying only that the senator “appreciates the outpouring of support” while he continues treatment.
