PolitiFact Debunks WinSenate Ad Targeting Collins
A new campaign advertisement accusing Senator Susan Collins of covering up Epstein files has been rated false.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Elections
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A campaign advertisement released by the super PAC WinSenate on Sept. 24, 2026, has been fact-checked and debunked. The ad featured an individual claiming Senator Susan Collins acted to suppress documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Why it matters
The advertisement attempted to link Senator Collins to Epstein through the financial support of Stephen Schwarzman, who shared club membership with the late financier. PolitiFact found the claims to be false, noting the senator's record on transparency legislation.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed the House with a 427-1 vote and received unanimous consent in the Senate on Nov. 18, 2025. This followed a July 2025 Senate committee amendment that mandated the preservation of relevant records.
The players
Susan Collins
She is a long-serving United States Senator representing the state of Maine.
Stephen Schwarzman
He is a prominent financier and the chairman and CEO of The Blackstone Group.
Jeffrey Epstein
He was a financier and convicted sex offender who had connections to numerous high-profile individuals.
WinSenate
This is a super political action committee that is affiliated with the Senate Majority PAC.
PolitiFact
This is a non-partisan fact-checking website that evaluates the accuracy of claims made by political figures.
The details
WinSenate, a group linked to the Senate Majority PAC, aired the spot to criticize Senator Collins following a 2025 procedural vote on a defense bill amendment. Although the ad highlighted a $3 million donation from Stephen Schwarzman to a pro-Collins PAC, there is no evidence that Schwarzman and Epstein were business partners despite their shared founding membership in a New York club.
Timeline
The Core Club launched in New York City in 2005.
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a file preservation amendment on July 10, 2025.
Senator Collins voted to table an Epstein file amendment on Sept. 10, 2025.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed Congress on Nov. 18, 2025.
Election day for the Maine Senate seat is Nov. 3, 2026.
Political Context
Opposition groups argue that despite the fact-check, the campaign spot highlights concerns regarding the influence of major donors on legislative priorities. Critics maintain that the senator's procedural votes warrant scrutiny regardless of the specific inaccuracies presented in the PAC-funded advertisement.
Maine voters should be aware that the claims regarding the senator's stance on document transparency have been officially disputed. This finding serves as a reminder to verify campaign advertisements against documented congressional voting records ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
The takeaway
Fact-checking organizations provide critical oversight to ensure voters are not swayed by misleading political messaging during heated election cycles. Citizens are encouraged to consult official voting records to distinguish between campaign rhetoric and legislative action.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the race, visit Elections.
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