The internet was left with questions after an unusual interview with Fox News and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) aired on Monday.
Collins spoke with the conservative outlet for the first time since her opponent, Democratic candidate Graham Platner, took the lead in the upcoming Maine Senate race.
Media and political experts were left stunned by the longtime Republican's demeanor on camera.
"Collins has been such a formidable electoral force that I don't want to say 'she's cooked,' but if Maine voters are feeling at all anti-incumbent and anti-gerontocracy then yeah, she's cooked," columnist Jamelle Bouie wrote on Bluesky.
"Susan Collins is unsteady and struggling throughout this entire segment. Her inability to sit through even a softball interview gives a lot of insight into why she hasn't held a town hall in 25 years," Lauren French, communications director at Democratic group Senate Majority PAC, wrote on X.
"Susan Collins is on Fox News but notably, the interview was pre-taped. She seems to be struggling her way through it. I wonder how heavily it's been edited," journalist Aaron Rupar wrote on X.
"Every moment Susan Collins is talking on TV is a good moment for Graham Platner," freelance politics and culture writer Nick Field wrote on X.
collins has been such a formidable electoral force that i don't want to say "she's cooked," but if maine voters are feeling at all anti-incumbent and anti-gerontocracy then yeah, she's cooked
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— jamelle (@jamellebouie.net) June 22, 2026 at 12:45 PM
