UMVA has learned that a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine has sparked outrage over a deleted social media post that mocked a wounded soldier, saying the Purple Heart recipient "didn’t deserve to live."
The candidate, Graham Platner, refused to apologize for the post when questioned, instead claiming that any attempt to say he disrespects veterans is "slanderous and offensive." Platner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, posted the comment on Reddit in 2019, referring to a viral video of Pfc. Ted Daniels taking enemy fire in 2012.
Platner's post was widely criticized, with many veterans speaking out against his comments, including Rob O’Neill, the U.S. Navy SEAL who killed Usama bin Laden. O’Neill called Platner's comments "barbaric" and said they were "the opposite of everything I've ever been raised to believe." Platner has previously struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has used this as an explanation for his past incendiary social media posts.
Daniels himself reacted to the post, calling Platner a "coward" for making the comments online rather than in person. Platner is currently the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate seat in Maine, and will appear on the ballot alongside Democrat David Costello in the primary election on June 9.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Platner's comments have sparked significant outrage among voters and veterans' groups, with many calling for him to apologize or drop out of the race. Platner's refusal to apologize has only added to the controversy, with some questioning his fitness to hold public office.
The incident has raised concerns about the tone and tenor of political discourse, with many arguing that Platner's comments crossed a line. As the election season heats up, Platner's comments are likely to remain a major issue, with many voters and opponents seizing on them as evidence of his unsuitability for office.
