Overview
- On August 1, President Trump posted on Truth Social instructing GOP senators to vote the exact opposite of Senator Susan Collins, marking an escalation in their public feud.
- Collins recently opposed his “big, beautiful bill” and a $9 billion rescissions package designed to claw back foreign aid and public broadcasting funds.
- She has also voted against key executive nominees this year, including Pete Hegseth for Defense and Kash Patel for FBI director, prompting Trump’s demand to keep the Senate in session until all his nominees are confirmed.
- Her vote to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial continues to fuel tensions between her centrist approach and his push for party unity.
- In a 50-50 Senate, Collins’ independent record gives her outsized influence and makes her a focal point of Trump’s efforts to rally Republican support.