Angus King: 'I cannot in good conscience' attend Trump's State of the Union
King said he would skip Trump's State of the Union, citing his objections to the president's conduct.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Lewiston Sun Journal, which carries this article. The other scores rate the article itself. The average of 3 rated stories from Lewiston Sun Journal.
Credibility rates Lewiston Sun Journal, which carries this article. The other scores rate the article itself. The average of 3 rated stories from Lewiston Sun Journal.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The report gives the central decision, King's stated reasons, relevant context about prior absences and the plans of Maine's other congressional delegates. Most of the account relies on statements from King, his office and a White House spokesperson, with little independent examination of King's claims.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The report includes King's explanation and a White House response to the Democrats’ absence, along with contrasting attendance plans from Maine's delegation. It does not provide a direct response to King's specific allegations about Trump.
- Counterarguments presented — A White House spokesperson criticizes the lawmakers’ refusal to attend, though not King's specific claims.
- Source diversity — Includes statements from lawmakers and the White House, with limited independent sourcing.
- Omitted context — The report does not examine or independently assess King's allegations about Trump's actions.
The article reports King's criticism and decision alongside the other Maine lawmakers’ plans and a White House response, using attributed statements without adopting an overt partisan judgment.
- Language tone — Mostly neutral, with quoted critical language attributed to King.
- Source selection — Includes statements from King, Golden and the White House, as well as other lawmakers’ plans.
- Framing — Centers on King's attendance decision and explains his stated reason.
Republished
Republished from Portland Press Herald. ChamberLight matched this page's text to Portland Press Herald's article.
152 stories · 78–79 · updated Oct 13, 2026
This is Portland Press Herald's own score, and this article is credited to Portland Press Herald. The host score in the Source Check is Lewiston Sun Journal's.
Republished by Centralmaine.com
Sen. Angus King said he would not attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, citing what he described as Trump’s disregard for constitutional principles. Maine’s other congressional delegates are split: Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree also will be absent, while Susan Collins plans to attend.
King announced Monday that he would skip Tuesday’s address. In a statement, he said Trump had shown “no respect” for constitutional separation of powers, the rule of law and constitutional rights, and said attending would require him to show respect he believed Trump had not earned. King’s office said he might watch or listen elsewhere and noted that he had missed previous State of the Union speeches by presidents of both parties.
Golden and Pingree also will not attend, while Collins plans to. Pingree intends to join a counterrally on the National Mall; a White House spokesperson criticized the lawmakers’ refusal to attend. Golden said he was interested in hearing Trump but had “had my fill of pomp and circumstance.”
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SWIPE →Senator who said he would not attend the State of the Union
Senator who plans to attend the address
President delivering the State of the Union
Representative who also plans to miss the address
Representative who plans to miss the address and attend a counterrally
Part of a bigger story
5 OUTLETSAngus King, Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden plan to skip President Trump’s State of the Union address, while Susan Collins plans to attend. King cited objections to Trump’s conduct. Center outlets mainly lay out who will attend or skip and the members’ reasons. Right-leaning outlets include a skeptical portrayal of King’s explanation alongside a largely factual rundown of attendance plans.
- ARTICLES
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
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- The Maine Wire · Most of Maine's Congressional Delegation to Skip President Trump's State of the Union Speech, Only Sen. Susan Collins to Attend
- Bangor Daily News · Susan Collins only member of Maine's congressional delegation to attend State of the Union address
- Wgme · Some of Maine's congressional delegation to skip State of the Union address
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