Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump publicly criticized Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in a Thursday night post on Truth Social, calling on fellow Republicans to oppose her voting record.
“Republicans, when in doubt, vote the exact opposite of Senator Susan Collins. Generally speaking, you can’t go wrong. Thank you for your attention to this matter and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote.
The post came amid ongoing policy disagreements between the two Republicans and highlighted Collins’ recent votes against key Trump-backed legislation and nominees.
Last month, Collins voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping legislative package Trump signed into law on July 4. She also opposed a rescissions measure that the administration said was critical to its spending reduction efforts.
“I strongly support extending the tax relief for families and small businesses,” Collins said in opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill. “My vote against this bill stems primarily from the harmful impact it will have on Medicaid, affecting low-income families and rural health care providers like our hospitals and nursing homes.”
Collins was one of just three Republican senators to oppose the legislation.
Earlier this year, Collins voted against confirming Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense and Kash Patel as FBI director, two high-profile appointments supported by Trump.
Her long-standing tension with Trump dates back to his first term. In February 2021, Collins was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump following his second impeachment trial in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Trump had already left office at the time, and the vote failed to reach the two-thirds majority required for conviction.
Collins, who has represented Maine in the Senate since 1997, has often portrayed herself as an independent voice in the Republican Party. Her moderate positions have drawn criticism from both Democrats and fellow Republicans, and Trump has repeatedly targeted her in the past for what he views as disloyalty to his agenda.
The Maine lawmaker has yet to announce whether she plans to run for reelection in 2026.