Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) bragged about a road salt win at a Maine Senate debate, and her challenger's comeback had observers cheering.
On Tuesday, Collins faced Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in a debate weeks before the midterms. Asked what she would do about President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, Collins pointed to a specific victory.
"I was successful at getting road salt removed from the tariff list," Collins said. Jackson responded by pouncing on the answer.
"What about everything else? We can't eat road salt," Jackson said. "With everything she's doing with the Iran war, there will be so many less people that can afford to drive that I'm not even sure the road salt will be worth anything."
The exchange spread quickly after clips of the moment were posted, with many users zeroing in on Jackson's five-word retort.
"'We can't eat road salt' is devastating," wrote Democratic political strategist Chris Sosa in a post on X.
"I must report: 'You can't eat road salt' is a bar," laughed Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, referring to the term for a line of rap.
Others compared Collins' answer to the infamous line attributed to Marie Antoinette.
"Susan Collins' amazing let-them-eat-road-salt moment," declared journalist and political commentator David Sirota.
"'Let them eat road salt.'—Susan Collins, basically," remarked disinformation expert and Kash Patel foe Jim Stewartson.
Social media personality and liberal political commentator Brian Krassenstein marveled how "Troy Jackson just destroyed Susan Collins in 4 seconds."
Some suggested the moment could have real consequences at the ballot box.
"'We can't eat road salt' is the kind of line that could genuinely sway an election," warned policy consultant and journalist Adam Cochran. "Team Jackson has to be very happy with that soundbite."
Author and activist Hemant Mehta framed the race around the exchange.
"If cheaper road salt is what you want, vote Collins," he wrote. "If you want better health care and a real check on Trump and the Supreme Court, vote Jackson."
"We can't eat road salt" is devastating.
— Chris Sosa (@ChrisSosa) October 7, 2026