Trump seeking someone to replace GOP senator who 'irritates him': report

With an eye on the 2026 midterms, Donald Trump is making moves in a bid to make sure he won't have to deal with a Senate with a Democratic majority afterward.

According to a report from Politico's Jake Traylor, with the seat held by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) in play after he announced he won't seek re-election after battling Trump, there is a real risk that Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) could either lose in the general election or could follow the path of Tillis and walk away beforehand and leave the race wide-open.

With that in mind, Politico is reporting the White House is looking for an electable Republican in Maine where Collins' seat could flip to the opposition party.

As Traylor wrote, "Though there is no discussion of pushing a primary on the 72-year old, President Donald Trump would love to see a 'better option' in place of one of his most persistent GOP critics."

In a separate report, Politico is reporting one of the Collin's GOP colleagues in the Senate admitted, Trump is "very irritated at Susan — very, I can tell."

Traylor is also reporting a White House insider stated they had no idea who "Trump might like to see run if Collins retires when her fifth term ends."

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