Old Reddit comments from Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate, have come to light. In these posts, the 41-year-old is seen disparaging a soldier who was shot four times in Afghanistan, stating, “That stupid motherfucker didn’t deserve to live.”
In a June 2019 Reddit comment, Platner referred to a viral video, saying, “This video never gets old.” He mentioned Pfc. Ted Daniels, who received the Purple Heart in 2012 after being injured in a Taliban firefight.
Platner continued with further remarks, stating, “At least his stupidity and fat-ass wheeze will be there for all future infantrymen to witness and despise.”
He added, “Bad marksmanship by the Taliban is the only reason this mouth-breather was able to make it home. He had every chance to make decisions in small-unit combat,” further illustrating his disdain.
These posts were retrieved from an archived Reddit account named “P-Hustle,” which Platner has confirmed was his own.
Adam Schwartz, a Minnesota Senate candidate and former Navy SEAL, criticized Platner’s online behavior, describing it as “not normal” in an interview. “We don’t joke about our brothers and sisters dying. That’s not what we do,” Schwartz emphasized.
While Schwartz acknowledged that military personnel often have a “dark” humor, he stated that Platner’s comments crossed a line. “We don’t post about our brothers being injured in combat,” he remarked, suggesting that Platner might need assistance. “He deserves help for his experiences and mental health but shouldn’t be running for the U.S. Senate.”
Platner’s deleted Reddit posts continue to stir controversy as he runs for office.
Another post surfaced recently where Platner talked about personal habits in a porta-potty, expressing excitement related to the experience. He wrote in March 2017 about the nostalgia triggered by certain military smells.
Having received endorsements from prominent figures like Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Platner faced backlash last year after older Reddit comments re-emerged. Some of those comments included self-identifications as a “communist” and “socialist.”
In other posts, he expressed derogatory views of police, called rural Americans “stupid,” and controversially suggested that sexual assault survivors should “take some responsibility for themselves.”
Additionally, Platner has faced scrutiny for having tattoos associated with Nazi symbols. He denies any connection to the Nazi party, claiming ignorance about the tattoos’ meanings at the time he got them.
Last month, Platner became the presumed Democratic nominee after his primary opponent, two-term Governor Janet Mills, ended her campaign. If he secures victory in the June primary, he will face incumbent Senator Susan Collins in November.
