UMVA has learned that Graham Platner, the scandal-plagued Maine Democratic Senate nominee, is facing mounting scrutiny over disturbing posts he made on the online blogging platform Reddit.
According to information obtained by UMVA, a report has surfaced fresh posts attributed to Platner's old Reddit username, "P-Hustle," including one that appears to mock a teenage girl's suicide attempt. The post, from 2012, showed a girl hanging out a window, being held on by her classmates.
The P-Hustle account responded with a chilling comment: "Someone clearly isn’t trying hard enough." This newly uncovered post adds to a long list of inflammatory remarks Platner has made on Reddit.
Platner's online activity has been a focus of his campaign, with critics pointing to comments calling rural White Americans "racist and stupid," posts pushing racial stereotypes about Black people, and remarks blaming victims of rape. He has also promoted political violence and praised Hamas.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Platner's Reddit posts have drawn widespread criticism from Republicans and conservatives, including Maine State House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, who described Platner as having "deep and disturbing psychological issues." Faulkingham's comments reflect a growing concern about Platner's judgment and character.
The backlash against Platner has been swift, with Maine Republican Party Executive Director Jason Savage saying: "When someone tells you who they are, believe them." Savage's comments highlight the concern that Platner's online posts reveal a pattern of behavior that is unbecoming of a Senate candidate.
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer also weighed in, saying Platner's comments were "the worst" of his controversies. Fleischer questioned how anyone could support a candidate with such a record, highlighting the gravity of Platner's actions.
Platner's history of promoting armed political action on Reddit has also raised concerns. He wrote that "an armed working class is a requirement for economic justice" and argued that people need to be prepared to fight fascism with semi-automatic rifles.
In a 2021 Reddit post, Platner wrote that all cops are "bastards" and called himself a "communist," though he later disavowed the remark about law enforcement. This incident has contributed to the growing scrutiny of Platner's campaign.
Platner's campaign has been marred by controversy, with critics pointing to his history of inflammatory comments and questionable judgment. As the Maine Senate race heats up, Platner's opponents are seizing on his online posts to question his fitness for office.
The controversy surrounding Platner's Reddit posts has sparked a heated debate about his character and judgment. With his campaign facing mounting pressure, Platner's future as a Senate candidate hangs in the balance.
