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Lawmakers, Supporters React to Dr. Ron Paul Appearing to Have a Stroke While On Air

Ellie Bufkin
Ellie Bufkin  |  September 25, 2020 2:40 PM

Update: After a terrifying moment during a live stream, Dr. Ron Paul shared with his followers on Twitter that he was doing fine, and recovering with a photo of him giving the 'thumbs up.' His son, Sen. Rand Paul, thanked his father's supporters and friends for their prayers. 

Original Story: Dr. Ron Paul, an accomplished physician, former member of Congress from the state of Texas, and former presidential candidate appeared to suffer a major medical emergency during a live stream interview on Friday morning. 

Paul, 85, is considered a pioneer of the modern Libertarian movement and is regarded as a hero for many lawmakers and supporters as a staunch advocate for freedom. He ran for president in 1988, 2008, and 2012. 

During the Friday edition of his live show, the "Ron Paul Liberty Report," the former congressman appeared to lose focus before his mouth suddenly drooped to the side and his speech trailed off into muttering. 

The interview on the topic of federal COVID-19 stimulus money ended quickly, but concern from those watching evolved into widespread alarm as the video went viral on social media. 

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Paul became an icon for many Libertarians and Libertarian-leaning conservatives for speaking out against the PATRIOT Act in 2001, a measure with nearly unanimous GOP support, over concern about privacy violations. Paul earned the nickname "Dr. No" while in Congress, given to him because he would "never vote for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution."

Dr. Paul is the father of Dr. Rand Paul, who serves as the junior senator from Kentucky and is also hailed as a defender of freedom and strict constitutionalist. 

Fox News reported later that Dr. Paul was transported to a hospital and was being treated as a "precautionary" measure, and host Harris Faulkner reported that he was "lucid and optimistic," but no other details were made available at that time.