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By Anna Commander
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South Carolina Republican U.S. Senator Tim Scott publicly backed his Republican colleague Susan Collins in her bid to retain her Senate seat in Maine.
Scott's remark comes after President Donald Trump's noted disapproval of Collins' voting record and after the president's Truth Social account posted a video depicting former President Barack Obama and ex-first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Newsweek reached out to the White House late Wednesday night via email for comment.
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Why It Matters
Scott's backing of Collins potentially underscores intraparty tensions after Collins previously voted with a small group of GOP senators to advance a resolution curbing Trump’s war powers, placing both party unity and campaign dynamics under scrutiny.
Scott also publicly condemned the now-deleted video on Trump's Truth Social account of the Obamas, calling it in part "the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House." The president said he spoke to Scott, who is the lone Black Republican in the Senate.
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What To Know
Collins announced her bid for reelection on Wednesday, saying on X, "GOOD NEWS! I am ALL-IN for 2026." Responding to her, Scott said, "Senator Susan Collins is a battle-tested leader whose fierce independence has led to historic wins for Maine. Mainers know they can always count on her."
Collins has had a strained relationship with Trump since his second term began.
While she supported many of his Cabinet confirmations, she voted against several high‑profile nominees, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel.
She also opposed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and a separate measure eliminating funding for public media and foreign aid.
What People Are Saying
Senator Susan Collins wrote in an op-ed published in the Bangor Daily News in Maine: “True leaders bring both sides together to seek common ground, not shout the loudest or seek the most social media clicks. I have a proven record of working for you, and I’m running for reelection because my experience, seniority and independence matter.”
Lauren French, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Pac, which supports Democrats, said: “Maine deserves leadership that understands today’s challenges and has the energy to actually fight for working people, not another six years of excuses and fake concerns.”
Senator Tim Scott, on X earlier this month about the video posted to Trump's Truth Social account: "Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it."
President Donald Trump, when asked about the video by reporters on Air Force One: "No. I looked at it. I saw it, and I just looked at the first part…I didn’t see the whole thing." Trump later added, "I gave it to the people," and "they posted" it.
Trump was also asked if he was going to apologize. He replied, in part, "No, I didn't make a mistake. I mean, I look at a lot of thousands of things, and I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine…I guess it was a takeoff on The Lion King."
What Happens Next
Alongside North Carolina, Ohio and Alaska, Maine is one of four states Senate Democrats are targeting as they seek to break the GOP’s 53‑seat majority.
Update, 2/12/26, 10:20 a.m. ET. This article has been updated with more information.
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