Let’s talk about Senator Susan Collins, The New Yorker, and a story that’s become a prime example of the media bending a narrative to fit a preconceived agenda. This one involves a direct clash over what Collins says was a blatant misrepresentation of her actions, all in an effort to undermine President-elect Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth.
Here’s the setup: Jane Mayer of The New Yorker published a piece about Hegseth’s nomination, framing it with a dramatic sub-headline accusing the Trump transition team of intimidating witnesses and suppressing FBI background checks. That’s bold enough, but Mayer also specifically called out Senator Collins, implying she had “turned down a meeting” with an accuser linked to Hegseth.
The Trump transition team has waged an intense and unprecedented behind-the-scenes campaign ahead of Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing to silence potential witnesses, aimed at keeping Republican senators in line and in the dark, @JaneMayerNYer reports. https://t.co/7w5nOqkVzo
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) January 14, 2025
Collins, however, wasn’t having it. In a post on X, she called out The New Yorker for twisting the facts and laid out exactly what did—and didn’t—happen. According to Collins, she was never contacted directly by the accuser or their attorney. Instead, a third party approached her about a potential meeting, and she said she’d think about it. That’s it. No follow-up. No refusal. And yet, Mayer’s article made it sound like Collins had actively dismissed or avoided hearing from the accuser.
Collins didn’t just deny the claim; she brought receipts. She shared the full quote her office had given The New Yorker, which explained in no uncertain terms that she had been open to the idea of a meeting but had never been contacted again. Her statement also clarified her position: allegations of this nature should be brought directly to the Senate committee handling the nomination, which is where such matters are properly vetted.
Contrary to the assertion in the New Yorker article, I never turned down a meeting with Mr. Hegseth’s accuser.
I was never contacted by her or her attorney. https://t.co/9dgMoj1Ylj
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 14, 2025
It’s a clear-cut case of a media outlet shaping a narrative to generate outrage. By selectively reporting the facts, The New Yorker painted Collins as complicit in a supposedly shady campaign to protect Hegseth. But Collins’ detailed response completely dismantles that storyline, showing how her actions were misrepresented to bolster Mayer’s broader point about Trump’s transition team.
The fallout from this episode goes beyond Collins and The New Yorker. It’s a stark reminder of how media narratives can often prioritize drama over truth, particularly when it comes to hot-button political issues. And while Collins hasn’t said yet whether she’ll vote to confirm Hegseth, her pushback serves as a warning shot to journalists who think they can manipulate the facts without being called out.
I was approached by a third party about a meeting and I said that I would think about it. I never heard back from anyone after that.
As a general matter, allegations like this are best brought to the committees responsible for the nomination.
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 14, 2025