U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) disclosed Thursday that she has a benign essential tremor, a longtime health condition [1].
The announcement comes as the 73-year-old senator [4] faces increased scrutiny and viral videos questioning her health while she campaigns for re-election in Maine [1, 2].
Collins said the tremor is a benign condition she has lived with for years. She said the condition has not affected her ability to perform her job or how she feels [2, 3].
Collins has served in the U.S. Senate since 1997 [5]. She is currently seeking a sixth term in the November 2026 election [5].
The disclosure follows a period of heightened attention to her physical mannerisms during public appearances. In Portland, Maine, the senator addressed the cause of the shaking to mitigate online speculation regarding her fitness for office [1, 2].
Essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes involuntary shaking, most often in the hands. Because the senator's condition is described as benign, it is not associated with a more severe underlying disease.
“The condition has not affected her ability to do her job.”
This disclosure highlights the increasing role of social media in political vetting, where short, viral clips can trigger widespread speculation about a candidate's health. By identifying the condition as a benign essential tremor, Collins aims to neutralize a potential campaign liability and shift the focus back to her legislative record as she seeks a sixth term.
