Trump Halted Sen. Collins Probe
A report says Trump intervened in an FBI probe of Sen. Collins over a donor-linked defense deal.
September 22, 2026 · Updated Sep 22, 4:26pm ET
AlterNetCorruption alert: Trump saved Susan Collins from sweeping FBI investigation
Defense OneTrump's FBI shut down investigation into defense contractor's alleged bribes
The FederalistLeftists Will Target Any Republican With Lawfare
The New York TimesF.B.I. Shut Down Inquiry Into Top Ally of Senator Susan Collins
Political WireSusan Collins Was Target of FBI Bribery Probe
MEDIAiteFBI Anti-Corruption Investigators Targeted Susan Collins in Bribery Probe — But Then Trump Happened: Report
TPMThe FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
TruthoutTrump’s FBI Scrapped Bribery Investigation Linked to Sen. Susan Collins
MS NOWFBI’s anti-corruption team eyed Susan Collins’ operation. Then Trump’s purge began.
New RepublicTrump’s FBI Killed Bombshell Bribery Investigation Into Susan Collins
Joe.My.God.Collins Accused Of Steering Defense Deal To Donor
Rolling StoneSusan Collins Was Target of Federal Bribery Case … Until Trump Gutted the FBI
75%
Left · 9
17%
Center · 2
8%
Right · 1
Pano rates the coverage Mostly Left.
What happened
ProPublica reported the FBI’s anti-corruption investigation was expanding into Sen. Susan Collins
Susan CollinsUnited States Senator from Maine since 1997 and others. It said the probe was effectively killed or stalled after President Trump returned and the bureau team was dismantled. In 2019, as Collins faced a hard reelection fight, super PAC chief Scott Reed met NavatekMartin Defense GroupAmerican military contractor executives and asked for a $500,000 donation. Navatek executives allegedly tied any gift to help securing tens of millions in federal funding and Maine contracts. CEO Martin KaoMartin KaoAmerican former businessman later sent $150,000 through a shell company. Prosecutors indicted Kao in 2022 over illegal contributions; no Collins worker was charged. The FBI said it found nothing implicating Collins or her campaign, and Collins’s office denied the allegations. Whether the broader inquiry proceeds remains unresolved.
How the left told it
The left framed the story as alleged pay-to-play, with contractor donations traded for Collins-linked political support and defense funding. AlterNet cast it as a Trump-era intervention that saved Collins from a wider FBI corruption inquiry. AlterNet also lingered on the alleged shell-company route as a way to hide contractor money and evade campaign-finance law.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets we track didn't cover this story.
Maine Senate Race
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Oct 6Susan Collins, Troy Jackson ClashMostly Left
- Sep 23Susan Collins Denies Probe ReportMostly Left
- Sep 22Trump Halted Sen. Collins Probe (this story)Mostly Left
- Jul 26Troy Jackson NominationBalanced
- Jul 25Jackson Challenge CollinsLeans Right
