Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is under scrutiny for past social media posts. These posts contained statements on a range of issues including race, sexuality, and political violence. Platner, a Marine Corps veteran, attributed his past online remarks to depression and PTSD resulting from his combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In response to criticism, Platner expressed regret for his past online behavior. He stated that his former comments do not represent his current views and asked to be judged on his present self rather than past words.
“I’m sorry for this. Just know that it’s not reflective at all of who I am,” he said in relation to the resurfaced posts. “I don’t want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I ever wrote on the internet. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today.”
Controversial Online History
Platner’s previous online activity on platforms like Reddit is now easily accessible. This has sparked renewed criticism in his campaign against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. Several of these posts included offensive language and slurs directed at different groups. For instance, he used derogatory terms for homosexuals and mentally disabled individuals.
In one Reddit post from 2013, Platner questioned the tipping practices of Black individuals, reinforcing a stereotype about their tipping habits.
Racial and Political Remarks
In 2020, Platner made a statement asserting that white people in rural America were more racist than perceived. Also, Platner claimed that the public only pays attention to crime when white people are victims. This was followed by a comparison of gun-related deaths among different demographics.
Self-Declared Ideological Shifts
Throughout his online presence, Platner expressed support for Marxism and described himself as having grown into a communist. He made several posts on socialist subreddits, notably aligning himself with the Socialist Rifle Association.
Approach to Violence and Controversial Humor
In 2013, Platner stated support for using violence against political opponents in specific scenarios. He also made unsettling remarks regarding animals and expressed support for using violence against perceived threats.
Platner has previously mocked the tactical competence of an American soldier shown in a video, which drew criticism from fellow veterans. He also made comments suggesting familiarity with the sex trade in Latin America, although it remains unclear if these were in jest.
Bernadette Breslin, a representative from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, condemned Platner’s past comments as disqualifying, stating that they degrade various communities and individuals. Platner’s campaign has not responded to requests for comments on the issue.