'Not a win': Senate Republicans torn apart for boosting Collins’ self-own

US Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) departs after an evening Senate vote at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., US, September 22, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

The debate between Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Troy Jackson has sparked several clips showing epic failures by the Republican lawmaker, and her own party is sharing some of them.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee posted a clip of the debate in which Collins bragged that she got tariffs removed from road salt. Jackson retorted, "We can't eat road salt." It highlighted Maine's food and fuel problems as families struggle in a difficult economy. Jackson alleged that Collins hasn't done enough to help with basic needs for Mainers.

Yet, Republicans were promoting the video as some kind of "own" on the Democrats and it is confusing those online who see the party as out-of-touch as Collins.

"If you, like many, are confused why Senate Republicans would post this pretty good line by Jackson — they are under the impression it's an own, because they think road salt is the same as table salt," joked one woman.

Polling USA asked, "Y'all understand this isn't a win for you, right?"

Politico Brian Tashman noticed it was also a self-own. "NRSC accidentally admits that Trump’s tariffs raise costs," he said on X.

Progressive policy guru Scott Moore mocked, "A line so good I almost liked a hate tweet."

Democratic strategist and self-described "radical" centrist known as "The Maine Wonk" appeared to feel pity: "The MAGA Cult is so out of touch, they don’t realize this isn’t a [win]."

Another Mainer, Anthony Emerson, said that it's clear Collins did so poorly, "Even the NRSC can't spin this debate demolition."

"The absolute best part of this is the Senate Republicans posting the clip of their own senator getting absolutely bodied thinking it was somehow good for her," another person mocked.

"Brother why would you post this," the GOP was asked by another.

One account with over 61,000 followers ridiculed, "While Dem [communications] staffers may occasionally butcher a sports analogy Republican [communications] staffers have to be reminded not to eat rocks."

A Utah digital organizer commented, "Regardless of everything else crazy about them posting this, it's always so funny when Republicans treat sparing individual items from the Trump tariffs as an 'affordability win.' It's a real 'we're all trying to find the guy who did this' moment every time."

Indeed, Collins' comment comes on the heels of a number of public flubs by President Donald Trump's billionaire Cabinet. Dr. Mehmet Oz drew criticism from Fox News during his appearance when he tried to claim butter only cost about a dollar. Even Laura Ingraham fact-checked him to his face.

It has only been a few months since Vice President JD Vance dismissed affordability issues by saying that groceries “cost what they cost.”

In September, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried to spin rising borrowing costs and higher interest rates as “a growth story.” He also promised that someday energy prices would fall: “I don’t know whether it’s today, tomorrow or next week.”

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