Troy Jackson Digs an Even Deeper Hole for Himself

As PinkState beforehand reported, Troy Jackson has had a tough past few weeks on the talk stage with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who more than held her own throughout the 4 debates and helped additional expose the Maine Democrat Senate nominee as a clueless marvel who actually is not any better for the Pine Tree State than his disgraced predecessor, Graham Platner.

In the fourth and last debate, held on Thursday at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre in Bangor, Jackson raised eyebrows among Democrats and Republicans alike when, at one level, he point-blank told Collins to “shut up” after she steered a heckler in the group who was yelling at her was a supporter of Jackson’s.

For those who missed the second, watch:

Protestor interrupts @SenSusanCollins (R-ME) by yelling about AI data facilities during Maine Senate debate:
Collins: “So this is obviously one of Troy’s supporters.”
Jackson: “Oh, shut up… I don’t even know that kid.” https://t.co/Gy61ZIqBnF

— CSPAN (@cspan) October 15, 2026

In an update to this story, Jackson sat down for an interview with GWN State of the Union co-anchor Dana Bash that aired Sunday and in which she requested him a quantity of issue-related questions but also a number of about the viral “shut up” clip.

Not only did Jackson decline to say he regretted saying that to Collins, who is 14 years his senior, but he doubled and tripled down, on grounds that he felt like she was “talking down” to him, even though the video made clear that’s not what occurred at all:

BASH: This week, there was a protester in the talk that you had with Susan Collins. She responded by saying, “This must be a Troy Jackson supporter,” and you told the senator, “Shut up.” Do you remorse saying that?

JACKSON: No, she said that it was a Troy supporter. I imply, she accused me of setting that up. I had no thought who it was. I imply, I used to be stunned whenever he jumped up out of there. I’ve had 4 debates with Senator Collins. I’ve shook her hand afterwards every time. But what I’m not going to be is talked down to by Senator Collins. I’m not going to be accused of issues like that.

I imply, I’m combating for Mainers. And, I imply, I just suppose that was another state of affairs where she was speaking down to me. And so I’m not — I’m not going to apologize for that now.

BASH: Some Republicans are saying that there have been tales when you have been in the legislature of ladies who have been there who said that you have been — I do not know about speaking down to them, but you have been kind of aggressive in your tone, and that this is another instance of that.

JACKSON: Some Republicans have been spending tens of millions of {dollars} attacking me and my household, making unfaithful claims, issues that that they had to take off the air. And so it would not shock me that some Republicans would not be making any claims.

BASH: So, again, the “Shut up” factor, you are going to depart it as is, no apologies? 

JACKSON: Yes.

Watch:

Disgusting. @DanaBashGWN offers creep @TroyJackson207 a number of alternatives to apologize for telling Senator Collins to “shut up” during a debate, and he REFUSES. No marvel Jackson has stood by Graham Platner for so long. https://t.co/oQUYlW4FPp

— Senate Leadership Fund (@Senate_Fund) October 18, 2026

On topics associated to public coverage, Jackson also did himself no favors, admitting under stress from Bash that Medicare for All, for which he advocates, would outcome in people dropping their non-public health insurance coverage over time:

Troy Jackson ADMITS “Medicare-for-All” would strip Americans of their non-public health insurance coverage and drive them onto government-run healthcare. BASH: Would Americans give you the chance to keep on their non-public plans? JACKSON: “Everyone has to get into the plan.” https://t.co/drSidn3h8A

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 18, 2026

Regarding how such a plan could be funded, watch as Jackson journeys over himself and is unable to clarify where the trillions of {dollars} would come from past taxing “the rich”:

Troy Jackson is aware of that Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare-for-All” plan will raise taxes on hardworking Americans but REFUSES to admit it. BASH: “Sanders’ plan was estimated to cost between $30-40 trillion. How would make that up?” JACKSON: “We need to have a fairer taxation system.” https://t.co/SUocMeYb94

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 18, 2026

At one level, when Bash and Jackson have been speaking about Operation Epic Fury in phrases of fuel costs and the Strait of Hormuz being open or closed, it was Bash who had to clarify the fundamentals:

WATCH: A horrified Dana Bash has to educate Dem MESEN nominee Troy Jackson on Iran and prewar oil costs https://t.co/1IkhQDaXbN

— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 18, 2026

Listen to how many instances he says “I’m sure we can…” and “hopefully…” with zero to back it up. He has completely no thought what he’s speaking about. Iran will not be your neighbor with whom you may have a dispute over a tree on the property line.

— Affirm Reality ✡️ 🕎 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 💜 🤍 💚 (@MirabelleW18) October 18, 2026

All I’ve gotta say is that the TDS must be fairly strong in the state of Maine for this man to still be in the working, but then again, TDS does some terrible issues to people, so I suppose we should not be too stunned that this race stays tight down the homestretch.

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will decide the destiny of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must keep control of both chambers of Congress.

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