Kat Timpf: Mr. Platner’s Scandal is ‘Uniquely Bizarre’
The discussion on Jesse Watters’ show and The Five delved into the controversies surrounding Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, particularly a claim from his ex-girlfriend that his Nazi tattoo symbolized a belief that “America was evil and bad.” The hosts contended that Platner’s support for policies like universal healthcare and gender-affirming care was being overshadowed by personal scandals. They also examined the media’s focus and the public’s acceptance of such candidates.
Recently, Maine’s Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner faced mockery online from conservatives, sparked by a post expressing discontent that Elon Musk had been termed the world’s first billionaire.
Platner’s post stated, “Elon Musk just became the world’s first millionaire,” followed by a remark, “Let him be the last too.” The post gained significant attention, accumulating over 2 million views as of Friday night, connecting it to Musk’s company SpaceX.
After a successful IPO, Musk was reported to have become the world’s first trillionaire, with the stock starting at $150 per share and quickly surpassing that following his IPO, which opened at $135.
A Growing List of Controversies Threatening Platner’s Candidacy
Platner’s comments stirred a backlash from conservatives, who highlighted various scandals linked to his campaign, including allegations of an affair, Nazi tattoos, and accusations of physical abuse against a former girlfriend. Critics on social media voiced their concerns, with one, from Red State, stating, “The communists simply fail to understand that by making Mr. Musk poorer, they are making millions of other people even poorer.” Another stated, “Choose your fighter,” challenging Platner’s credibility and business perspective.
As pressure mounts in the Senate race, Platner faces further troubles as accusations from another ex-girlfriend have come to light. Some comments on social media have questioned his judgment, particularly regarding his controversial tattoo.
Others have referred to him as a “pathological liar” and criticized his political stance, portraying him as holding views akin to extreme socialism. A California Post editor discussed how Musk’s IPO success not only empowers Musk but also can inspire others, reflecting a mentality of aiming to create more billionaires.
Even celebrities like actor Dean Cain chimed in, expressing hope for more individuals to achieve Musk’s level of success.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Platner’s campaign for his comments amidst the backlash.
Since kicking off his campaign, Platner has drawn scrutiny for purportedly over-exaggerating his working-class credentials and for endorsing progressive economic policies, particularly those of Senator Bernie Sanders.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX recently made headlines by raising an impressive $75 billion in its IPO, which significantly increased the value of Musk’s stock portfolio. Currently, his estimated net worth stands at around $1.1 trillion, including his stakes in Tesla and other ventures.
The stock for SpaceX experienced a notable surge in early trading, reaching as high as $176.52 before settling at about $160.95 per share. There was substantial demand for the stock, with reports of $250 billion in orders and indications that individual investors claimed over $70 billion of it.
SpaceX plans to dedicate around 20% of shares to individual investors, a sizable allocation for this type of offering.
