Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is being singled out by President Donald Trump in what seems to be the most recent indication of the tense political ties between the two Republicans.
Late Thursday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social Network that Republicans should “vote the exact opposite of Senator Susan Collins when in doubt.” In general, it’s impossible to go wrong.
Collins has voted against Trump’s large domestic policy and spending measure, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and against the return of $9 billion from public broadcasting and foreign aid in recent weeks. Collins has also opposed some of the administration’s plans to drastically reduce funding for public health, research, education, work training, and other programs in her role as chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee.
However, Collins has only broken with Trump and her Republican colleagues a few times this year and is up for reelection next year. She only opposed FBI director Kash Patel, one of Trump’s 21 Cabinet candidates. She also voted against the confirmation of Emil Bove, Trump’s former defense attorney, to a federal appellate court earlier this week.
Collins stated in a statement, “I vote for what’s best for Maine and America.” “Sometimes that means I agree with the President and sometimes I disagree.”
Collins has been accused by Democrats on numerous occasions of only opposing Trump and GOP leaders on important matters when her vote won’t affect the outcome. Although there isn’t a clear front-runner to oppose the incumbent next fall, the state and national Democratic parties are also stepping up their attacks on Collins in anticipation of the 2026 elections.
Despite Collins’ infrequent votes against his administration’s agenda, Trump has mostly avoided attacking her until Thursday. Collins also voted against the large domestic policy and spending measure, but she was spared the beating Trump gave Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina since he opposed it.
One of the main causes of that might be the political landscape for 2026.
Collins is the only New England Republican in Congress. Although Trump did receive one Electoral College vote by winning Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, she is the only Republican senator up for reelection next year in a state that was won by Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
As the parties fight for control of the Senate once more, Maine’s Senate race is anticipated to be among the most costly and most followed in the nation. Similar circumstances faced Collins in 2020, but she ultimately defeated Sara Gideon, her well-funded Democratic opponent, by nine percentage points.
During the last three months of reporting, the five-term incumbent raised $2.4 million for her campaign and announced her intention to run for reelection the following year. She hasn’t, however, made her candidacy public. Additionally, Trump’s staff has reportedly talked about selecting a candidate to replace Collins, according to several news sites headquartered in Washington, DC.
Many Democratic activists are waiting to see if Gov. Janet Mills would run against Collins in the upcoming election.So far, five Democrats have announced their intention to run. However, if Mills decides not to run, that field should expand considerably.
