Trump's call for Collins ouster throws wrench into Maine Senate race

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

01/10/26 6:00 AM ET


President Trump’s call for Sen. Susan Collins (R) to be ousted in November tossed a monkey wrench into the high-stakes Maine Senate race, raising further questions about the GOP’s most vulnerable incumbent and whether she will be able to pull off another high-wire act in the blue-leaning state this year.

Frustrations at the White House boiled over on Thursday after Collins and four other Republicans sided with Democrats on a war powers resolution that would block further military action in Venezuela. While Republicans were miffed at the attack on the handful of members, it’s Collins they are most concerned with as she potentially holds the key to them retaining the majority next year.

“There were a lot of people shaking their heads and a lot of eyerolls,” one Senate Republican said of the reaction in the conference to the attack on Collins. “[You] probably ought not take on the chair of Appropriations, who’s a little bit pissed off about not getting regular order appropriations done. And now you’re s——g on her on this sort of stuff?” “It’s almost reminiscent of, ‘Don’t come to vote for the Georgia senators. It’s not worth your while,’” the senator continued, referring to Trump’s message to voters in the Peach State ahead of the Jan. 2021 special elections that Democrats swept.

Senate GOP leaders have long been protective of Collins, a Maine centrist who has frequently drawn Trump’s ire, given what both sides readily acknowledge: Collins is the lone Republican who can win the seat next year. Without her, the seat is likely lost for good, similar to what Democrats experienced in Montana and West Virginia in recent years.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5682431-susan-collins-maine-senate-race/

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Politically, Trump can put on his shoes, but he can't tie them.

[SeattleVet]

12. He still gets them on the wrong feet, and the laces are tied together.

[Ritabert]

2. Hey Sen. Collins are you concerned yet?

[Bluestocking]

3. She did it to get reelected.

I would love for her to lose. She’s a true Republican at heart. She will probably lose anyway with the way things are going.

[paleotn]

4. Can you say Senator Mills? I can.

Opens up some interesting scenarios. Severely erodes support for Collins, certainly. But perhaps LePage (yes, THAT Lepage!) may be tempted to abandon his run for the ME-2 congressional seat and instead run against Collins in the Puke Senate primary? Recruited by Donnie no less and stupid enough to actually do it. He is a magat favorite. That gives either Wood or Dunlap, Dem candidates since Golden is stepping down, a much easier time in ME-2. So, in a moment of shortsighted stupidity, Trump may have flipped the entire ME delegation blue.

[groundloop]

5. I'm sure she's deeply concerned ......

so concerned that she may even offer up some thoughts and prayers.

[Bayard]

6. Thanks for helping us out, Donnie Dumpster Fire

[delisen]

7. Trump Logic:I punish/eradicate.Collins & get another Democrats state to destroy

Trump is actually consistent and working his plan. Susie Wiles and most of the evil empire might prefer he not punish Collins and keep a Republican in office but they know the value of their vicious dog and will not deny him the red meat he craves.

[cab67]

8. If anything, this would help Collins.

It would help beef up her "I'm an independent!" cred.

[cstanleytech]

15. Probably the intention.

[malthaussen]

9. Must be because she's female, she is no impediment to his plans.

She'll express her obligatory "concern" and then vote with the Party every time. Nope, gotta be personal.

-- Mal

[Strelnikov_]

10. Go Trump! Force her out!!

[mwmisses4289]

11. Weren't there already rumblings that this race isn't going to be shoe in

that it seemed a year ago? Her whole I'm concerned inaction schtick seems to be wearing a little thin with Maine voters.

[wolfie001]

13. I hate the fat orange imbecile....

....but I love this for that hack of a sub-human and spineless POS.

[cstanleytech]

14. I'm sure Collins is 'concerned'.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. MaddowBlog-Trump suffers rare back-to-back defeats in Republican-led Congress

The president’s grip on GOP lawmakers is slipping in ways he isn’t used to — and clearly does not like.

Trump suffers rare back-to-back defeats in Republican-led Congress.

The president’s grip on GOP lawmakers is slipping in ways he isn’t used to — and clearly does not like.

www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

— TheBlackPage (Woke, DEI forever against fascism) (@theblackpage.bsky.social) 2026-01-10T16:43:08.235Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-suffers-rare-back-to-back-defeats-in-republican-led-congress

One of the setbacks came in the GOP-led House, where a Democratic discharge petition to revive and extend Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies passed the chamber on a 230-196 vote. In all, 17 House Republicans sided with the Democratic minority — more than members of either party expected — suggesting bipartisan concern about the health care coverage benefits that Republicans let expire on Jan. 1.

The measure now heads to the Senate, where a separate set of negotiations is underway for a possible compromise.

Speaking of the upper chamber, Trump’s other, more dramatic setback happened in the Senate on Thursday afternoon. My MS NOW colleague Mychael Schnell reported:

In a rare bipartisan rebuke of President Donald Trump on Thursday, the Senate narrowly advanced a war powers resolution aimed at reining in U.S. military actions in Venezuela — an early sign that Trump may not have the congressional backing he anticipated for an extended military presence there.

In a 52-47 vote, senators agreed to begin debate on a war powers resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., that, if successful, would ‘direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.’

As the dust settled, many observers were surprised to see that five Senate Republicans had voted with the Democratic minority on the bipartisan legislation......

I think that’s the right way to see the developments. The point isn’t that the unpopular and failing president is suddenly powerless. He’s not, as evidenced by Thursday’s failed House votes on overriding his recent vetoes.

Rather, the point is that his grip is slipping in ways he isn’t accustomed to and clearly does not like. This was evident in the fall, when Republicans rejected some of Trump’s ridiculous nominees and voted to rebuke his trade agenda, and it was even more obvious this week.

As this year’s midterm elections approach and GOP members look for ways to salvage their careers, this dynamic seems likely to get worse for the White House before it gets better.

[Vthestate]

17. AS long as war powers and killings by ICE are the news Epstein Crime wave is not taking the dictaor down

Trump as trumped the congress and the national urge to know
who he raped on Epstein Island.... mass media has moved on
and pressure has been contained.....don't make me answer questions
look at Sue Collins.

[Zambero]

18. In 2020, he threw two wrenches into Georgia's U.S. Senate races

Polls had indicated both races to be "lean Republican", but by the time Trump was finished interjecting his petty grievances and off-putting manner of retribution, those seats flipped as both Democratic candidates went on to victory. The result was a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate. One can only hope for more of the same in 2026. He's off to a "very good" start!