Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina in the hospital after collapse
Longtime Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., was taken at the hospital Tuesday night for treatment after he collapsed at an event in Washington, according to a congressional aide with knowledge of the situation.
Later Tuesday night, Wilson's office confirmed the news on X.
"Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) was taken ill and is being evaluated at a local hospital in Washington, DC," it said.
His son, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, later posted on behalf of his mother who is at the hospital, saying, "Doctors have confirmed to us that he experienced stroke-like symptoms."
The younger Wilson said he was able to speak with his father on the phone, adding that the congressman is "stable and being monitored by medical professionals."
Rep. Wilson, 77, a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, was present for two vote series in the House on Tuesday afternoon and was joking with reporters just off the floor.
I just spoke to my mom who is currently at the hospital with my father. Doctors have confirmed to us that he has experienced stroke-like symptoms. I was able to speak with him moments ago and I am incredibly thankful that he is stable and being monitored by medical professionals
— Alan Wilson (@AGAlanWilson) September 11, 2024
He said Tuesday he had had a busy summer recess; Congress just returned this week from a monthlong break.
Wilson told reporters he had just returned from whirlwind official travel to the Philippines, Australia and Europe, including a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, then campaigned back home in South Carolina.
NewsNation first reported Wilson's hospitalization.
Wilson, who has represented a conservative district in central and southwestern South Carolina since 2001, is perhaps best known for shouting "You lie!" at President Barack Obama during a joint session of Congress in 2009 after Obama said undocumented immigrants would not receive benefits from the legislation that eventually became the Affordable Care Act.
Wilson was reprimanded by the whole House and apologized to Obama.
More recently, he has become known as one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine in its war against Russia, frequently wearing pins or flags in blue and yellow, the national colors of Ukraine.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
