Trump keeps undermining Susan Collins

Plus, Pete Hegseth announces 20% cut to military’s top ranks |

VIEW IN BROWSER Thursday, Oct. 01, 2026 Today, we’re looking at the ways Trump is jeopardizing Susan Collins' re-election bid, the problems with Trump trying to escalate the Iran war, a warning given to Eric Schmitt before the Jack Smith testimony and more. Plus, Ali Velshi discusses how Pete Hegseth spent most of his State of the Force speech being “what the kids call cringe.”   Tierney L. Cross / Bloomberg via Getty Images How Trump is sabotaging Susan Collins' re-election pitch By Hayes Brown Susan Collins of Maine is locked in one of the toughest campaigns an incumbent Republican senator faces this cycle. Her campaign pitch to her constituents leans, in large part, on her seniority and status atop the Senate Appropriations Committee.   Like many of her GOP colleagues, President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies have proved more of a hinderance than help to Collins’ message, and the latest, likely illegal move out of the White House undercuts her appeal even further.   This is a preview of Hayes Brown’s latest column. Read the full column here. Respond directly to Hayes Brown’s latest column by submitting a letter to the editor through this form. Read our submission guidelines here.  Respond directly to Hayes Brown’s latest column by submitting a letter to the editor through this form. Read our submission guidelines here.  Must Reads   Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Depleted stockpiles, vulnerable allies may limit how much Trump can escalate Iran war The White House sees more room to escalate after the midterms. But limited weapons supplies and vulnerable Gulf allies limit how far Trump can push. Read more from Felicia Schwartz and David Rohde. Eric Schmitt was warned about the Jack Smith texts. He used them anyway. As Republicans on Capitol Hill try to figure out how Eric Schmitt’s bombshell fell apart so embarrassingly, it turns out he was warned that the texts were unvetted. Read more from Mychael Schnell, Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian.  I lead House Oversight Democrats. Corruption is making the cost-of-living crisis worse. Some of the most powerful people in this country are profiting from the decisions they’re supposed to be making for us, argues Rep. Robert Garcia. Read more. Anna Lefkowitz / MS NOW; Al Drago / Bloomberg via Getty Images; Sam Hodde for The Washington Post via Getty Images Angela Paxton’s argument to vote for her husband has to be heard to be believed The wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton urges women to vote for him despite their many reservations, writes Lyz Lenz. Read more.    Top Videos   THE 11TH HOUR WITH ALI VELSHI Hegseth slammed for using slur in major speech Watch now   THE MOMENT WITH KATY TUR Airfares reach 10-year high as jet fuel costs spike Watch now   STATE OF PLAY WITH PETER ALEXANDER District attorney on not receiving full evidence in alleged Cornell rape case: ‘It's extremely troubling’ Watch now   ALL IN WITH CHRIS HAYES Ken Paxton admits Trump’s convention hurt Republicans in leaked tape Watch now   More from MS NOW   Andrew Weissmann, MS NOW legal analyst and former FBI general counsel, answers YOUR questions about today's legal news on his new weekly series, “Answers with Andrew Weissmann.” Submit your legal news questions for him to answer in a future episode. This week on “The Best People,” Nicolle Wallace is joined by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to discuss how the moment we’re in is a “make-or-break” moment in American politics, and what he’d like to see if Democrats take control of the government after the midterms. Subscribe to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content. 229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE