Republican Senator, 73, reveals medical condition after reelection campaign ad shows her shaking 'like an electric toothbrush'

By STEPHEN M. LEPORE, US SENIOR REPORTER Published: 01:53, 7 May 2026 | Updated: 01:54, 7 May 2026 Maine Senator Susan Collins said she has had a 'benign tremor' that has affected her for over 40 years after speculation over a viral video that showed the Republican shaking. Video of Collins, 73, giving an interview with Fox News as she hit the campaign trail as part of November's Senate race against Democrat Graham Platner drew concern for her health. However, she revealed Wednesday that the shaking is caused by a benign essential tremor that she's had since at least her first election to the Senate in 1996.  'It has absolutely no impact on my ability to do my job or on how I feel each day,' Collins told News Center 8. An expert told the station that around five percent of adults over the age of 40 and 20 percent of those over 65 have some form of this condition. 'It's not associated with other neurologic impairments, Dr. Rees Cosgrove of Mass General Brigham Hospital said. 'So, it's not associated with cognitive decline or memory decline. It's not associated with Alzheimer's disease. It's not Parkinson's disease.' Collins noted that the condition is 'inconvenient at times, but that's all' and has no bearing on her work on Capitol Hill.  'If you talk to anybody in Washington, they will tell you that I am the hardest-working person that they have ever worked with, and the fact is I've never missed a single vote in all the time that I've been honored to represent the people of Maine,' Collins said.  Maine Senator Susan Collins said she has had a 'benign tremor' that has affected her for over 40 years after speculation over viral video clips that showed the Republican shaking Video of Collins, 73, giving an interview with Fox News on as she hit the campaign trail as part of November's Senate race against Democrat Graham Platner drew concern for her help 'I think that's pretty good evidence of the fact that I am blessed with great health.'  After the video surfaced on X, concerns were raised for Collins, who assumed office in 1997, and her health.  One person commented: 'She doesn't sound or look good here at all. Noticeable difference from years past.' Journalist Ken Klippenstein added: 'Have you asked why she's constantly shaking (including in this interview)? And if not, why not?.' Another said: 'Why is she shaking uncontrollably? Why aren't you asking about her health? Is it preventing her from doing her job? Why is she shaking?'  She sparked concerns for her health earlier this week after a re-election campaign advert from February went viral. Collins is seen unboxing a pair of sneakers in the video, her hands trembling as she opens the package, head twitching and voice quavering. 'This is perfect for 2026 because I'm...running,' Collins says shakily as she holds up one of the sneakers.  Collins was asked if her counterpart was too far to left, and as the interviewer quizzed her she could be seen shaking on the spot Collins' shaking is not new and has been discussed following previous appearances dating back to at least 2019. US Senators have six-year terms but there are no federal term limits, meaning they can continue seeking re-election indefinitely. Trump turned on Collins after her Venezuela war powers vote in January, urging voters to oust her and saying she 'should never be elected to office again.' Republicans are defending 22 Senate seats in November as they fight to protect Trump's 53-47 majority.  Platner suggested that if he defeats Collins in the midterms but the Democrats fail to take control of the Senate, he'll be 'arrested.' He has faced outrage from both sides of the aisle over a Nazi-linked tattoo he claimed he got while drunk, as well as controversial Reddit posts. Platner is now the presumptive Democrat nominee after Governor Janet Mills dropped out of the race. At a town hall Saturday, he said that as part of a minority Democrat party, he would join protests and picket lines and expected to find himself in handcuffs. Collins is facing oyster farmer Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race Collins' shaking is not new and has been discussed following previous appearances dating back to at least 2019 'If we don't get the majority and things continue to get worse, I will promise you that I'm going to be arrested as a United States senator,' he said.  The candidate was wearing a sweater that said the words 'neat,' referring to the style of drink with no ice, a common phrase used by anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters.   Platner - who has campaigned on being pro-LGBTQ, Medicare for All and ending foreign wars - promised 'an element of activism' regardless of whether or not Democrats take the Senate, The Midcoast Villager reported.  However, should Democrats pull off an upset and take back the Senate, he plans to bog down Donald Trump by making his entire administration testify before Congress. No comments have so far been submitted. 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