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Does Paul Gosar have Parkinson's? Video showing GOP Rep shaking draws support, but trolls too

Gosar sparked concerns after speaking at a 'Rock n' Roll Rodeo' campaign event for GOPer Kari Lake held in Morristown, Arizona, on Saturday, March 5

US Rep Paul Gosar appeared to have bizarre muscle spasms while speaking at a rally for Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, fueling speculation that he was suffering from Parkinson's disease.

Speaking at a 'Rock n' Roll Rodeo' campaign event held in Morristown, Arizona, on Saturday, March 5, Gosar appeared to involuntarily roll his head while addressing constituents. Many speculated about his condition, saying it could be Parkinson's, Tardive dyskinesia, or even Huntington's disease. However, the Republican firebrand has not commented on the same, having refuted similar concerns in the past and reassuring voters that he's "healthy as a horse." 

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"I don’t want to comment too much on Gosar’s condition but it does appear to be getting worse," Twitter user Acyn Torabi wrote, sharing a clip of Gosar from the Saturday event. 

Many on social media empathized with the GOP congressman despite political differences.

"I’m no doctor, but it looks like he’s in the mild stage of Parkinson’s," MSNBC host Katie Phang responded.

"It's far from mild," one Twitter user added. "Parkinson's is typically characterized by rigidity and stiffness, not this type of choreoathetotic movements. IMO it's more likely tardive dyskinesia. Huntington's disease is also possible but that is usually hereditary so his siblings would also be affected," they said.

"My grandma had Parkinson’s. This looks familiar, unfortunately. Can’t believe he’s not stepping down. He needs help," another wrote.

"My Grammy looked like this (and eventually worse) for a few years before she reached the 'statue' stage which set in about 6 months before death," a comment read. "Speech became slurred whispers then vanished almost completely. She managed a few sentences her last week after months of silence."
 
"Well, if he does have Parkinson's, symptoms include cognitive decline, psychiatric disturbances including depression, psychosis, and impulse control. These are very relevant to whether he should be in a position of power," another chimed in.
 

Of course, there was a barrage of insensitive tweets as well.

"As someone whose father and mother-in-law suffered from Parkinson’s, which is what this looks like, I’d like to be more sympathetic, but his party accused Hillary of having it, so nothing from me," one wrote.

"It doesn’t appear that karma is treatable," another offered.

"As long as he’s mentally capable of doing his job……wait, I forgot who we were talking about for a second. Never mind," someone else added.
  

The Arizona Republican has tried to mask his spasms in the past by tucking his hands in his pockets, under tables, or clutching them behind his back. In 2015, he told The Arizona Republic that the condition wouldn't affect his political prospects. Then 56, the three-term congressman explained to the outlet that two compressed vertebrae in his neck and lower back had caused nerve issues -- a condition that would require back surgery. He said he was also dealing with complications from a hip replacement in 2014. “I’m as healthy as a horse,” he told The Republic at the time. “Not gonna get rid of me that easily.”

Gosar, who has been a dentist for more than 25 years, said the spinal compression was a result of hunching over for long periods as he treated patients. Furthermore, his condition was exacerbated due to his genetics and a history of rugby playing, which contributed to his need for a hip replacement.

At a Phoenix event for 70 new US citizens in 2015, Gosar was on stage to shake their hands. His left hand spasmed during the pause between congratulations, and he clamped his right hand around the left to control the motion. While talking to a reporter after the event, he put his hands in his pockets and behind his back. In June that year, Gosar appeared to hide his hands behind his back for most of a 12-minute TV segment with 3TV after his left hand began to seize.

While spinal experts have agreed that people whose professions require them to bend over for prolonged periods of time are prone to compressed discs and spinal arthritis - causing pain, weakness, and loss of fine motor control. That said, it's unclear how the condition will affect Gosar's political future.