Susan Collins delivers blunt verdict on prominent Trump critic: ‘She has no impact’

National PoliticsFILE -Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, responds to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)AP Photo/J. Scott ApplewhiteSen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) jabbed former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) over her approach to opposing President Donald Trump.Collins is preparing to face off against Democratic candidate Troy Jackson in one of the most highly-anticipated races of the 2026 midterms this November. In a new interview with Politico’s Jonathan Martin, she reflected on her approach to Trump even when she disagrees with his agenda at times. At one point, Martin asked whether Collins aligns more closely with Cheney or the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) when it came to dealing with the president. Martin said Cheney’s approach was to stand by her principles even if it meant losing her job. Meanwhile, Graham wanted to find a way to navigate Trump’s world to keep his job and continue working on issues he cared about.Collins took a shot at Cheney while explaining that she did not take either Cheney’s or Graham’s approaches.“I would say that I don’t fit either of those models. With the case of Liz Cheney, what influence does she have today? Really none,” Collins said. She said she respected the work Cheney did on the Jan. 6 commission investigation into the 2021 attack on the Capitol. She also noted that Trump brings up her own vote to convict him “almost every single time” that she sees him.“It is very personal, and I understand that. How could it not be?” Collins said of Jan. 6. “But Liz Cheney, it’s not just that she lost her seat; it’s that she has no impact, in my view.”She argued that she is not like Graham either, referencing his close relationship with Trump.“Lindsey was very close to the president. It was almost a father-son relationship, in my opinion. He called him up all the time. He gave him advice. He was constantly over at the White House,” Collins said. “That’s not my style either,” she added.Watch Collins’ full interview with Politico below: Lauren Sforza covers national politics as a content supervisor and reporter for Advance Local, focusing on the Trump administration, elections and members of Congress. Lauren worked as a trending political...