Raging Trump screamed profanities at defecting Senate Republican in explosive phone call

U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine spoke in support of one of President Donald Trump’s picks for a federal judgeship during a confirmation hearing in Washington in late July 2025. Not long after that, reports say she became the target of an angry phone call from the president.

According to reporting by The Hill, President Trump was extremely upset with Collins over a recent Senate vote related to war powers and Venezuela. The vote was meant to stop the White House from using military force against Venezuela without Congress approving it.

Two people familiar with what happened said Trump personally called Collins while the vote was taking place and yelled at her. One Republican senator described the call as Trump “reading her the riot act,” using a lot of profanity and shouting. Trump reportedly accused Collins of weakening his authority as president, especially when it comes to the military and national security.

People close to the situation said Trump was furious. One source said he was “very mad” and “very hot” about how Collins voted.

Collins has a long reputation as a Republican who sometimes breaks with Trump, especially on major and controversial votes. She opposed parts of his large tax cut bill last year, which angered many Republicans. At the same time, many voters still criticize her for supporting the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, despite allegations that he sexually assaulted someone when he was in college.

In this case, Collins was one of five Republican senators who voted in favor of the resolution limiting Trump’s war powers. That vote clearly enraged the president. He later attacked Collins and the other four Republicans publicly on his Truth Social account, saying they should never be elected to office again.

Collins represents Maine, which is considered the most Democratic-leaning state that still has a Republican senator. Because of that, Democrats see her seat as one of their best chances to flip if they want to take control of the Senate in the midterm elections. Even so, it would be very difficult. Democrats would also need to win an open Senate seat in North Carolina and pick up at least one seat in traditionally Republican states like Texas, Ohio, Iowa, or Alaska, all while keeping every seat they already hold.

In Maine, the main Democratic contenders looking to challenge Collins are Governor Janet Mills, who is currently in office, and Graham Platner, a harbormaster and oyster farmer who is running as a progressive outsider candidate.