GOP Sen. Susan Collins discloses longtime tremor after scrutiny in Maine Senate race
ABC News: Politics — 2026-05-07 12:47:00 — abcnews.com
PORTLAND, Maine — Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has disclosed for the first time in her political career that she has a benign essential tremor, a condition that causes trembling in her hands, head, and voice. Collins confirmed the tremor to WCSH-TV in Maine on Wednesday after facing questions about her health due to recent video appearances, including her campaign announcement. She stated that she has lived with this condition throughout her nearly three-decade Senate career and emphasized that it “does not interfere” with her work. In a statement to The Associated Press, Collins described the tremor as “occasionally inconvenient” and a target of “cruel comments online,” but asserted that it does not hinder her ability to perform her duties.
Health issues and the ages of candidates have become focal points in high-profile elections, particularly following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection at age 81. Questions regarding age have also arisen concerning former President Donald Trump, who is 79 and has been seen with bruising on the back of his hand, sometimes concealed with makeup. The White House acknowledged last year that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.
Collins is seeking reelection in a seat that Democrats aim to flip to regain control of the Senate. Her likely opponent is Democrat Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, after Democratic Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign last week. The age factor is significant in this race, with Collins, 73, and Mills, 78, being over three decades older than Platner, who is 41. Platner has openly discussed his own health challenges, including chronic pain from combat service and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. He holds a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but continues to work as an oyster farmer.
Collins, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, noted that her tremor has been noticeable during debates and public appearances. As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has played a key role in various spending disputes this Congress, often leading floor debates and providing the GOP’s closing arguments. Her record of never missing a Senate vote has reached 9,966, marking the second-longest consecutive voting streak in Senate history.
How this sits against verifiable accuracy
The excerpt does not contain any statements made by Donald Trump. It discusses Collins’ health disclosure and the context of health scrutiny in political races, particularly relating to age and health conditions, but does not provide any direct quotes or claims from Trump himself.
### What the excerpt shows about verifiable lies
No verifiable lies are presented in the excerpt.
### Targets and tone
The excerpt does not show Trump singling out, insulting, demeaning, threatening, or speaking in a hostile way about specific people or groups.
In summary, the excerpt highlights Senator Collins’ disclosure of her health condition amid a competitive reelection campaign, while also referencing the broader context of health and age in political discourse, particularly concerning figures like Donald Trump.