UMVA has learned that Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, boasted in resurfaced social media posts about using hard drugs while on military leave, claiming he had "no regrets" about his past actions.
Platner, a seasoned combat veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Army National Guard, allegedly bragged about "partying it up" while backpacking through Spain on military leave, using drugs and having a wild time in hostels across the continent. He made these claims in a 2020 Reddit post under the handle P-Hustle.
In another post from the same year, Platner admitted to purchasing cocaine, writing "Street value. I always wonder what street you're buying your cocaine on, because it's not the street I'm buying my cocaine on." This admission raises serious questions about his judgment and eligibility for public office.
The Marine Corps strictly prohibits servicemen from using illicit drugs, threatening those who violate its rules with expulsion and criminal prosecution. Platner's actions, if they occurred while he was on the Marine Corps's payroll, would have been a clear breach of military regulations.
Platner seemed to revel in his exploits, writing that he "took two months of terminal, most of it combat leave, so I was making a pretty penny doing just about nothing." He then went on to backpack through Europe, using government funds, and "had a blast partying it up" – all while still collecting a paycheck.
"I highly recommend it. No regrets," Platner added, seemingly unapologetic about his past behavior. This nonchalant attitude toward his actions has sparked concerns about his fitness for office.
The resurfaced posts have put Platner's campaign on the defensive, with the Maine Democrat facing mounting pressure to address his past actions. Platner has attempted to explain some of his deleted Reddit posts, attributing them to the "crude humor" and "offensive language" he became accustomed to in the armed forces.
However, it remains unclear whether this explanation applies to his admission of drug use, which has raised serious questions about his judgment and eligibility for public office. The controversy has sparked a heated debate about Platner's candidacy, with many wondering how much scrutiny a campaign can survive.
As the scrutiny continues, Platner's prospects do not yet appear to have sunk in the polls, with many surveys showing him leading incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins to represent Maine. However, the outcome of the election remains uncertain, and Platner's campaign still faces a significant test of its viability.
