Trump Loses It in Phone Call With Defecting Senate Republican: ‘He Was Very Mad’

January 10, 2026 Gloria Shaw

President Donald Trump reportedly unleashed a furious, profanity-laced telephone tirade against Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), berating her for voting in favor of a Senate resolution aimed at restricting his authority to use military force against Venezuela.

The call, described by multiple sources as Trump “reading her the riot act,” marks one of the most intense private confrontations between the president and a Republican senator in recent months, highlighting the growing friction within the GOP over the administration’s aggressive foreign policy decisions.

According to reporting by The Hill‘s Al Weaver, citing two sources familiar with the exchange, a “fuming” Trump personally dialed Collins during the Senate vote on the war powers resolution.

One GOP colleague characterized the conversation as explosive: “He called her and then basically read her the riot act.” The discussion was said to be “profanity-laced,” with Trump accusing Collins of undermining his authority as commander-in-chief and jeopardizing national security.

Another source familiar with the call confirmed the intensity of Trump’s reaction: “He was very mad about the vote. Very mad. Very hot.”

The president’s anger reportedly centered on Collins’ decision to join four other Republicans—Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.)—in supporting the measure, which passed the Senate but faces uncertain prospects in the House.

Collins, widely regarded as the most centrist Republican in the Senate, has a long history of occasionally breaking with Trump on high-profile issues. Her votes against some of his tax cut provisions last year and her pivotal role in confirming Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018—despite widespread allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh have made her a frequent target of conservative criticism.

Maine voters, in one of the bluest Senate seats held by a Republican, have remained sharply divided over her record.

Following the vote, Trump took to Truth Social to publicly condemn the five defectors, writing: “Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again.” The post was widely interpreted as a direct threat to primary or otherwise oppose those senators in future elections.

War Powers Resolution–A Direct Challenge to Executive Authority

The resolution, sponsored by bipartisan lawmakers, seeks to require congressional approval for any further military action against Venezuela following the recent U.S. strikes and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. It invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which aims to reassert Congress’s constitutional role in authorizing military engagements.

Trump and his allies have defended the Venezuela operation as a necessary counter-narcotics mission, arguing that existing executive authority under the president’s commander-in-chief powers is sufficient. Administration officials have portrayed congressional intervention as an attempt to weaken national security efforts.

Collins and other supporters of the resolution argue that the measure protects constitutional balance and prevents unchecked executive overreach. Her vote, in particular, reflects her longstanding emphasis on institutional norms and legislative oversight—principles that have occasionally put her at odds with more hardline members of her party.

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The reported call and subsequent public attack have intensified internal GOP tensions ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Collins represents one of the most vulnerable Republican-held Senate seats in the country, with Maine consistently voting Democratic in presidential elections. Defeating her is widely seen as a top Democratic priority if the party hopes to flip the Senate.

Democratic challengers in Maine include incumbent Gov. Janet Mills, who enjoys strong name recognition and approval ratings, and progressive outsider Graham Platner, a harbormaster and oyster farmer running on a bold reform platform. Either candidate could capitalize on anti-Trump sentiment in the state, where Collins’ support for controversial Trump nominees and policies has long been a point of contention.

Trump’s aggressive rhetoric risks alienating moderate voters and independent-minded Republicans who value Collins’ willingness to occasionally break ranks. At the same time, his base remains energized by his confrontational style, viewing the call as a necessary assertion of leadership.

The incident also shows the president’s reliance on personal pressure tactics to maintain party discipline. Sources describe Trump as increasingly frustrated with congressional Republicans who fail to fall in line, particularly on foreign policy and national security issues.

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Despite the presidential rebuke, Collins has built a reputation as one of the Senate’s most independent voices. Her votes on issues ranging from judicial nominations to spending bills have often defied party expectations, earning her both praise for bipartisanship and criticism for insufficient loyalty.

In Maine, her approach has historically allowed her to win reelection in a blue-leaning state, though the political environment has grown more polarized in recent cycles.

The White House has not confirmed details of the call, and Collins’ office has declined to comment publicly on the reported exchange.