Controversy Surrounds Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner

Ted Daniels, a veteran and Purple Heart recipient known for surviving a near-fatal encounter with the Taliban, has sharply criticized Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after a disturbing resurfaced post. Platner suggested that Daniels shouldn’t have lived through his experience.

In an interview on “The Bottom Line,” Daniels branded Platner a “coward,” accusing him of hiding behind social media. “People like this don’t say things like this to your face,” Daniels remarked. “What it says online, Graham, is that you’re a coward.”

A now-deleted Reddit post from June 2019 has come back into the spotlight. In it, Platner reacted to a video of Daniels being shot during a 2012 battle. Using the username “P-Hustle,” which he later confirmed was his, Platner wrote, “Stupid mother didn’t deserve to live.” He further expressed disdain over Daniels’ physical condition and suggested that poor marksmanship from the Taliban was the only reason Daniels survived.

Critics have condemned Platner’s comments, linking them to a broader pattern of vulgarity and questionable remarks archived in his deleted Reddit history. This backlash has resonated with veterans and politicians alike, raising concerns about his judgment.

Daniels didn’t hold back, stating, “Graham, I appreciate your efforts, but I personally think you’re the worst human being.” Platner’s past posts also included self-identifying as a “communist” and “socialist,” and making disparaging remarks against other military figures.

Reflecting on possible motivations for Platner’s words, Daniels speculated that they might stem from some personal issues. “Hate never comes from above,” he emphasized, suggesting that such attitudes often reflect inner insecurities.

He further expressed dismay over Platner’s treatment of military figures, including accusations against Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL and widely regarded American hero. “These are just some of the comments he made about me,” Daniels noted. “It’s violent rhetoric, hateful rhetoric.”

Daniels highlighted that Platner’s views do not represent the military community. “It’s an embarrassment to the military and veteran community as a whole that someone like this would even be part of our culture,” he stated. “From what I see, it’s all behind the keyboard.”

Adding to his criticisms, Daniels argued that Platner’s erratic behavior disqualifies him from public office. He summed up his feelings with a striking analogy: “This is a story from a man who has no idea what a woman is… Honestly, that’s not the kind of leadership we need in our government.”

Currently, Platner is set to contend in the Democratic primary after former Gov. Janet Mills stepped back from the race. Should he succeed, he will face off against Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming fall election.