Susan Collins demands apology after Troy Jackson accuses her of ‘making money’ off Iran war

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican Senator Susan Collins on Thursday, October 8, demanded an apology from Democratic challenger Troy Jackson during their Maine Senate debate after he accused her and her husband of profiting from the Iran war.

Jackson linked the conflict to rising fuel and home heating costs, arguing that Collins had failed to use her influence to push for an end to the war.

Collins firmly rejected the allegation as “absolutely outrageous” and defended her record on war powers.

Susan Collins demands apology over Iran war profiteering claims

Jackson alleged that Collins had refused to use her position in the Senate to help end the conflict, claiming that financial interests were influencing her actions.

“Collins and her husband are making money off this war,” Jackson said, adding, “And so are a whole bunch of other people, and that’s why this doesn’t stop.”

Collins immediately challenged the allegation and demanded that her opponent retract it.

“That is absolutely outrageous, and you owe me an apology,” she said. “That is absolutely outrageous. To say that my husband and I are making money off the war in Iran is absolutely outrageous.”

Jackson’s campaign subsequently pointed to energy investments held by Collins and her husband, Tom Daffron.

A post on Jackson’s X account stated that Collins and her “husband hold up to $100,000 in oil and gas stock. So while our prices go up, she’s getting richer.”

Collins said she had repeatedly supported efforts to end the conflict through congressional war powers resolutions. “I have voted nine times to bring the war in Iran to an end under the War Powers Act,” she said.

Jackson argued that the war was driving fuel prices higher and warned that “People will freeze to death this winter because they can't afford to heat their homes.”

Susan Collins and Troy Jackson clash over ICE and Trump

On immigration enforcement, Jackson called for defunding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing the fatal shooting of Maine resident Johan Sebastian Guerrero in July.

“This agency is so rogue that I don't know that it can be reformed,” Jackson said. “I know for a fact that people are always going to know ICE as an outfit has murdered at least four people here in this country, and that that is not law enforcement.”

Collins argued that ICE plays a role in deporting violent criminals, investigating child exploitation and combating trafficking. “We need to reform ICE further. There's no doubt about that,” she said.

She also defended funding for body-worn cameras and supported restrictions on arrests in sensitive locations, such as schools and hospitals.

Jackson sought to make the election a referendum on Trump, criticising the administration’s tariffs and Iran policy. Collins countered that she had demonstrated independence from presidents of both parties, saying that “this Congress alone, I voted against President Trump 137 times.”

Jackson sought to make the election a referendum on Trump, criticising the administration’s tariffs and Iran policy. Collins countered that she had demonstrated independence from presidents of both parties, saying that “this Congress alone, I voted against President Trump 137 times.”