A Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, Graham Platner, is under fire for past comments on Reddit after new posts linked to his old username recently came to light, including one that appeared to mock a teenage girl’s suicide attempt.
According to a report by the New York Post, an account using Platner’s previous Reddit handle, “P-Hustle,” commented on a 2012 post about a girl who attempted suicide, saying, “Obviously someone’s not trying hard enough.” The original post shared a picture of a girl hanging from a window, supported by her classmates.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of problematic remarks Platner has made on the platform, where he’s also been criticized for derogatory comments about rural white Americans, racial stereotypes regarding black individuals, and remarks encouraging political violence.
The backlash intensified after the resurfacing of the Reddit post mocking the girl’s suicide, drawing condemnation from multiple Republican figures, including Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.
Faulkingham remarked on Platner’s troubling mental state and highlighted the brutal nature of his comments. Savage echoed these sentiments, stressing that Platner’s taunts at a young woman in anguish reveal much about his character.
Fleischer added that mocking someone facing such pain is among Platner’s worst transgressions, questioning how anyone could support him amid ongoing controversies. He called attention to a deeper issue, suggesting that something is fundamentally wrong with Platner.
Platner’s past online activities have become a focal point of his campaign as he challenges incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. His comments reflect disdain for various groups, disparaging police, encouraging accountability for rape victims, and expressing derogatory views about certain military honors. In one post, he suggested that Purple Heart recipients were “not worth living.”
In another instance, he commented on racial perceptions, stating, “I live in white rural America, and I’m afraid to say they really are”—a response that betrays a dip into his personal experiences in rural settings.
Moreover, he has promoted armed resistance, making statements about the necessity of an armed working class for economic justice and even discussing the historical context of fighting fascism with appropriate weaponry.
In a previously deleted post from 2013, Platner stated, “There are times in this world when tolerance and the good of humanity must kill mothers,” which has led to further scrutiny into his views.
Most recently, reports surfaced indicating that Platner played down sexual assault issues, suggesting those concerned about it should take personal responsibility. On a different note, he reportedly praised a video showing Hamas militants engaging Israeli soldiers during a conflict, which raised eyebrows among observers.
Efforts to reach Platner and his campaign for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
