By Trendsetter Tribune 
President Donald Trump reportedly called Republican Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) in an angry, profanity-laced phone call this week after she broke with party leadership to support a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at limiting his authority over military action in Venezuela. The confrontation highlights a deepening rift within the GOP over executive power and congressional oversight — and could have political implications for a key Senate battleground.
According to multiple sources familiar with the call, Trump phoned Collins during Thursday’s Senate vote on the war powers resolution and unleashed a tirade criticizing her decision. One Senate Republican described the exchange as a “profanity-laced rant,” saying Trump “read her the riot act” and was “very mad” about her vote.
A second source confirmed that Trump took issue with the resolution, which passed the Senate 52–47 with Collins joining four other Republicans and all Democrats in advancing the measure.
A spokesperson for Collins confirmed the call took place but declined additional comment.
The War Powers Vote
The Senate vote marked a rare bipartisan effort to assert Congressional authority over U.S. military actions, particularly after a controversial operation in Venezuela earlier this month that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The resolution, introduced by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, would require Trump to obtain congressional approval before conducting additional military operations in Venezuela — a pushback against what critics view as unchecked executive action.
While symbolic and unlikely to become law, the vote signals growing concern within both parties about executive overreach and the constitutional balance of powers.
Trump’s Public Rebuke
Shortly after the vote, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to publicly condemn Collins and the other Republicans who supported advancing the resolution. In a post widely circulated on Thursday, Trump wrote:
“Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America.
Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again.”
The president framed the war powers resolution as an attack on his authority as commander-in-chief.
Collins’ Response
After Trump’s public rebuke, Collins responded to reporters — acknowledging the president’s displeasure without escalating the dispute further. She said:
“The president obviously is unhappy with the vote. I guess this means that he would prefer to have Gov. Mills or somebody else with whom he’s not had a great relationship.”
Collins is widely considered the most vulnerable Republican incumbent facing reelection in 2026. Maine’s political landscape has trended Democratic, and Trump’s criticism could now become a campaign talking point for both parties.
Political Implications
1. GOP Divisions Over Executive Power
The confrontation puts a spotlight on widening divisions within the Republican Party. While Trump’s base supports a strong executive approach, a faction of GOP lawmakers — including Collins — is pushing back on unilateral military authority.
2. Battleground Senate Seat
Collins’ seat in Maine is a top Democratic target, and Trump’s personal attack could energize both challengers and national Democratic support. Two Democratic candidates — Maine Gov. Janet Mills and progressive outsider Graham Platner — are already vying for the nomination to oppose Collins.
The episode revives longstanding debates about the War Powers Act, Congressional oversight, and the constitutional role of the presidency in military affairs — issues that could resonate across future legislative battles and elections.
President Trump’s heated phone call to Sen. Susan Collins after her support for a war powers resolution reflects a growing test of party unity and constitutional division. As the debate over executive authority deepens, the political fallout may shape not just legislative agendas but the 2026 electoral landscape — especially in high-stakes Senate races like Maine.
Stay informed: Follow our ongoing coverage of U.S. politics, Congressional oversight, and the evolving debate over presidential war powers — with context, fact-checking, and analysis you can trust.