A recent study has uncovered that two major news aggregation services, Apple News and Google News, significantly downplayed a range of stories about former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner during his campaign. This went on for several months until the weight of the mounting scandal became undeniable.
The investigation conducted by the Media Research Center (MRC) found that from November to May of last year, neither platform shared articles concerning controversies surrounding Platner, including his Nazi tattoos and inappropriate Reddit posts.
Moreover, the study highlighted that these tech giants overlooked “at least 112” news reports from conservative outlets that examined Platner’s troubling history during the same timeframe.
MRC Chairman David Bozell accused these platforms of running what he termed an “advocacy racket,” asserting that they misrepresented Platner’s past. He pointed out that initially, he was celebrated as a blue-collar representative who could potentially unseat Senator Susan Collins, only for those views to shift as scandals surfaced.
The MRC’s findings suggest the news blackout began after an October poll indicated Platner might have a good chance against the incumbent, lasting until a New York Times article reported in late May that he had engaged in sexual activities with a woman outside marriage.
“For quite some time, it seemed like Mr. Platner could really challenge Susan Collins, though America’s two leading news apps were grappling with one scandal after another,” Bozell remarked.
However, as polling numbers shifted and Platner’s popularity waned, the silence from these news platforms ended abruptly. “It seems a change in news judgment was dictated by circumstances rather than editorial integrity,” he added.
Platner eventually ended his campaign, withdrawing after two former girlfriends came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has strongly denied.
One accuser, Jennifer Racicot, alleged in an interview that Platner entered her home uninvited while intoxicated and assaulted her. Another, Lindsey Fifield, claimed he engaged in “stealthing,” which involves removing a condom without consent, an act that is illegal in some areas.
Fifield also shared that Platner had physically abused her, recounting an incident where she was forcibly restrained to prevent her escape.
Notably, prominent Democrats like Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, along with other figures, had supported Platner despite the increasing pressure from his scandals until the allegations of sexual assault became too serious to ignore.
On July 8, Platner announced his campaign cancellation via a post on X, attributing his withdrawal to larger systemic forces, including “corporate media” and the political structure, rather than taking responsibility for the unfolding events. “It’s clear there’s no one else but me who should continue this campaign. So, we are suspending our efforts,” he stated, reflecting a significant delay in acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations against him.
