Graham Platner, a Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is facing scrutiny over past comments he made about the U.S. Army. In posts from a now-deleted Reddit account, Platner described the Army as “absolute trash” and criticized its soldiers. He also made derogatory comments about wounded veteran Teddy Daniels, questioning his battlefield tactics.
Platner’s remarks have become a central issue in the Maine Senate race, where he challenges GOP incumbent Sen. Susan Collins. The resurfaced posts depict Platner, a Marine Corps and Maryland Army National Guard veteran, as openly critical of military branches. He acknowledged some units’ quality but condemned the Army for lacking the “warrior ethos” found in the Marine Corps.
Beyond the Army, Platner made controversial statements about Navy SEAL Chris Kyle during a 2024 podcast interview. He suggested Kyle inflated his combat numbers by targeting civilians. He further criticized Navy SEALs for general incompetence but praised Army Rangers.
The criticisms of Platner are not limited to his online posts. Some veterans, like Adam Schwarze, a former Navy SEAL, voiced disapproval of his remarks. They argue such comments are inappropriate and disrespectful to fellow service members.
Platner attributes some of his statements to psychological trauma from his deployments, as well as the type of humor he encountered while serving. Despite his apologies, the comments have sparked debate among political opponents and supporters.
Platner’s candidacy has drawn mixed reactions, especially from political figures like Elizabeth Warren, who face questions about their support for him. His campaign has yet to provide additional comments addressing the fallout from the controversies.