Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont criticized Republican staffers outside the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s (DSCC) headquarters after they confronted him and other Democrats. The confrontation centered on their support for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, who is embroiled in several scandals.
The incident, captured on video by Fox News Digital, showed Republican protesters, including National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) staffers, dressed in towels. This was a mockery of Platner’s Kik profile photo, which featured him shirtless with a towel around his waist.
Do you support Graham Platner even though he’s on Kik?
This question was posed to Sanders outside the DSCC in Washington, D.C., where Platner and other Democrats were meeting ahead of his June 9 primary.
Platner’s campaign faces severe scrutiny. He has been involved in controversies, such as a Nazi-linked tattoo he has since covered and resurfaced Reddit posts blaming rape victims and making racial stereotypes. These controversies are beside his sexually suggestive Kik profile, further complicating his primary run.
Protesters chanted messages like “Platner is a creep!” and “Delete your Kik!” They held signs saying “PEDO PLATNER MESSAGED KIDS” outside the DSCC headquarters.
When a protester mentioned Platner’s Kik account, Sanders responded, asking if they were with the Republican party. The protester replied, It doesn’t matter,
which led Sanders to criticize Republican morality amid the exchange, comparing it to President Trump.
Fox News Digital reports there is no evidence of Platner communicating with minors on Kik. The controversy mainly involves the app’s reputation and Platner’s suggestive profile photo. Additionally, there are reports about sexual messages exchanged by Platner during his marriage.
Platner has challenged some of the reporting about his personal life. He apologized for past online comments and explained the tattoo was acquired without knowledge of its symbolism. His wife has also condemned the release of private marital details.
The altercation outside the DSCC highlights the Republican effort to leverage Platner’s issues against national Democrats, including Senator Sanders and others who have shown continued support for Platner ahead of the June 9 primary.