Concerns have grown for a Republican senator in a reelection battle after she gave an interview in which she had a noticeable tremor. Maine Senator Susan Collins, 73, gave an interview with Fox News as she hit the campaign trail ahead of November's Senate race against Democrat Graham Platner.
Collins was asked if her counterpart was too far to the left, and as the interviewer quizzed her, she was seen shaking on the spot. She answered: 'I believe that will be the conclusion of Maine voters but obviously I don't take anything for granted.'
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?'
Collins was asked if her counterpart was too far to the left, and as the interviewer quizzed her, she could be seen shaking on the spot. 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' 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.'
Platner 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. He 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. '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 word '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.
