Sen. Susan Collins didn’t ‘cover up’ Epstein files or get $3 million from Epstein ‘business partner’

Democratic attack ads in Maine's Senate race have drawn scrutiny for allegedly misleadingly linking Senator Susan Collins to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex trafficking minors. The advertisements, produced by the Democratic super PAC WinSenate, assert that Collins voted to "cover up the Epstein files" and received $3 million from Epstein's business partner. These claims have sparked debate over the accuracy of the messaging used in the ongoing campaign. The controversy centers around a September 2025 vote in the Senate, where Collins, along with most Republicans, supported a motion to table an amendment aimed at compelling the release of Epstein-related documents. The amendment, introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sought to direct the attorney general to disclose unclassified materials regarding Epstein and his associates. Collins argued at the time that the amendment was inappropriate for inclusion in the defense spending bill and suggested that a separate funding bill was a better venue for such a measure. Despite her opposition to the amendment, Collins later supported a different provision in a July 2025 funding bill that required the attorney general to retain, preserve, and compile Epstein-related records. This provision was part of a broader effort to address concerns surrounding the Epstein files. However, the funding bill faced delays before eventually passing through the Senate in November 2025. The ads also reference a $3 million contribution to Collins' super PAC from a man described as Epstein's business partner. The funds were donated by Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of the Blackstone Group, to the Pine Tree Results PAC, which supports Collins. However, Schwarzman has denied any business partnership with Epstein, emphasizing that while both were founding members of the Core Club in New York City, there is no evidence of a professional relationship between them. A spokesperson for WinSenate, Lauren French, claimed that being co-founders of the same exclusive club inherently implies a business partnership. However, multiple reputable sources, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, have noted that Schwarzman and Epstein were merely members of the same club without any indication of a formal business association. The ads have been criticized for selectively highlighting Collins' past opposition to the amendment while omitting her subsequent support for a related measure. Additionally, the connection between Schwarzman and Epstein has been deemed tenuous, with no credible evidence suggesting a business partnership existed between the two men. Collins faces a challenging re-election bid against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine state Senate president. The issue of the Epstein files has become a focal point in the campaign, with both sides presenting contrasting narratives about Collins' stance on the matter. As the election approaches, the accuracy of the claims made in the Democratic ads will likely remain under intense public and media scrutiny.